UNCLOS
provides an internationally accepted method for delimiting maritime boundaries
which Timor-Leste is confident would place oil and gas reserves in the Timor
Sea within its territory.
However
Timor-Leste can’t have an independent umpire decide a maritime border with
Australia because in 2002 the then Foreign Minister Alexander Downer decided to
pull Australia out of the compulsory jurisdiction of international courts and
tribunals in relation to maritime boundary matters. This decision was made just
two months before Timor-Leste achieved its independence.
Timor-Leste’s
Prime Minister, Dr Rui Maria de Araujo said “establishing permanent maritime
boundaries is a matter of national priority for Timor-Leste, as the final step
in realising our sovereignty as an independent State.”
I agree with
Timor-Leste’s Minister of State, Agio Pereira, who says this process is still
worthwhile. The conciliation will lead to a report after 12 months. Both sides
can appoint two members and have to agree on the chair of the conciliation. If
Australia declines to participate, the UN will intervene to appoint experts.
East Timor
and Indonesia have committed to formal talks on the boundary but Australia
refuses to negotiate a permanent sea border. Australia should come to the table
and participate in these proceedings in good faith.
Further reading:
My speech on the Timor Sea
Maritime Boundary given to Friends of Dili 15 March:
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