Philippines – Indonesia EEZ boundary agreement nearing implementation

MANILA, Philippines – The agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia on the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary is expected to be enforced within the year.

In a joint statement between the two governments, the domestic requirements for the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Indonesia Concerning the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary have been completed.

The said agreement was among those discussed during the bilateral meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo last June 22 at the sidelines of the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

The agreement determines the boundaries which delimit the overlapping EEZ of the Philippines and Indonesia.

The two countries said the agreement serves as “a valuable example of the peaceful and rules-based settlement of maritime borders.”

“This landmark accord concluded between the two biggest archipelagic states stands as a valuable example of the peaceful and rules-based settlement of maritime borders in accordance with 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the two nations said.

“The Agreement provides legal certainty on the EEZ boundary between the two countries, promotes deeper cooperation in their respective maritime sectors and thus contributes to the prosperity and economic development of both countries and the larger region,” the two nations added.

The agreement is expected to be in place within the year “upon the formal exchange of the instruments of ratification by their respective foreign ministers.”

“This significant and positive development attests to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia, and adds further meaning to the ongoing celebration of the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations,” the Philippines and Indonesia pointed out. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

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