| Aziz Idris in Dili, Timor-Leste |
SOME of the world’s foremost experts on maritime boundaries and law have arrived in Timor-Leste to participate in a unique international conference yesterday at the Dili Convention Centre.
The ‘Dili International Conference: Maritime Boundaries and the Law of the Sea’ was organised by the country’s Maritime Boundary Office to raise awareness on the importance of the law of the sea and the role of international tribunals in resolving disputes peacefully.
The conference coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) set up by the United Nations in 1996 and features President of ITLOS, Judge Vladimir Golitsyn as a keynote speaker.
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Rui Maria de Araújo, in his opening remarks said that international law is the best path to resolve disputes on maritime boundaries.
“With competing claims for maritime sovereignty raising tensions in our region and beyond, the Law of the Sea plays a central role in maintaining international peace and security.
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Rui Maria de Araújo delivers his keynote address as President Golitsyn (R) looks on. – AZIZ IDRIS
“With ever-increasing traffic in global trade routes and mining technologies that enable access to offshore resources, countries need to deepen their understanding and share perspective on international framework for dealing with maritime rights in our seas and oceans,” explained the prime minister.
The young country, which celebrates its 14th Restoration of Independence today, shares maritime boundaries with two big nations, Indonesia and Australia. Currently, Timor-Leste does not have permanent boundaries with either neighbouring nations. Securing rights over the sea will be an integral part of Timor-Leste’s fight for sovereignty.
Positive feedback was received from Timor-Leste and Indonesia as both countries have agreed to position boundaries in accordance with interna-tional laws. However, Australia has been unwilling to engage with Timor-Leste and continues to stand behind provisional arrangements that do not conform to international law.
According to the prime minister, Timorese depend on the oceans for their sustenance and livelihood by fishing and harvesting marine species. It also attracts international tourists with the pristine reefs and underwater cliffs.
By establishing permanent maritime boundaries, this will grant Timor-Leste permanent and secure access to the seas and natural wealth beneath the waters. It will allow Timor-Leste to explore and develop new fisheries, expand the tourism industry and benefit from petroleum resources.
“It’s critically important for the people of Timor-Leste to achieve recognition of our rights to the sea under international law. For us, resolution of the issues about our maritime territory and the resources to which we are entitled is key to achieving control over our future,” he said.
Beyond the shores of Timor-Leste, the Law of the Sea has emerged as an essential focus for many nations in the Asia Pacific, including Brunei’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The disputes in the South China Sea involved a number of countries and a test of the importance of the law in determining maritime disputes between states.
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