Timor-Leste makes statement on maritime boundaries at ITLOS workshop
The Ambassador for Timor-Leste to the United Kingdom and Chief Negotiator of the Maritime Boundary Council, Joaquim da Fonseca, has explained the position of Timor-Leste regarding its maritime territory at an event organized by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which took place in Bali, from August 27th to August 28th.
On the last day of the event Joaquim da Fonseca highlighted in his intervention that “the people of Timor-Leste attribute a great importance to the delimitation of permanent maritime boundaries as a step in securing our full sovereignty as an independent state”.
The beginning of negotiations on the maritime boundaries of Indonesia and Timor-Leste, announced during the meeting of Prime Minister, Dr, Rui Maria de Araújo and President, Joko Widodo this week, was noted by the Chief Negotiator of the Maritime Boundary Council.
He expressed appreciation for the encouraging words of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Dr. Hasan Wirayuda, who said at the opening of the ITLOS workshop, “Indonesia should approach negotiations with a view to settle boundaries at a time when we enjoy the best of relationships”.
Joaquim da Fonseca commented on the maritime boundary delimitation process, emphasizing that “Timor-Leste strongly believes that international law and the mechanisms for their application could provide an effective means for peaceful settlement of disputes, especially when parties are in an asymmetric relationship. We are committed to make the best use of such mechanisms to achieve the final delimitation of maritime boundaries with Australia”.
The workshop, organized by ITLOS, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, took place in Bali on the 27th and 28thof August and analysed the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, paying special attention to the role of the Court.
Also representing Timor-Leste at this event, was the Ambassador to Australia, Abel Guterres, the Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime Boundary Office, Ms. Elizabeth Exposto, and the Director for Legal Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Francisco Ornai.
To have access to the complete intervention by the Ambassador for Timor-Leste to the United Kingdom and Chief Negotiator at the Maritime Boundary Council, Joaquim da Fonseca, click here.
