EU welcomes Phl-Indonesia pact on overlapping EEZs

MANILA, Philippines - The European Union welcomed yesterday the signing of an agreement on overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZ) between the governments of the Philippines and Indonesia, noting the move is a positive and cooperative solution of a maritime dispute based on international law.           

“We welcome the agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia on the delimitation of their overlapping exclusive economic zones in the Mindanao and Celebes seas as a positive example of a peaceful and cooperative solution of a maritime dispute in accordance with international law,” the EU said in a statement. 

The EU statement is consistent with its support and call for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

“The agreement attests to the commitment of the partners to engage in a consultative process of dispute settlement based on equality and mutual respect and is a significant contribution to a rule-based regional community,” the EU said.  After 20 years of negotiation, the Philippines and Indonesia signed on Friday the Agreement on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Indonesian Foreign Minister R.M. Marty Natalegawa signed the agreement at Malacañang as President Aquino and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono looked on.

The agreement, signed during the state visit of Yudhoyono, includes the annexed charts showing the EEZ boundary of the two countries in the Mindanao Sea and Celebes Sea, and in the Philippine Sea on the southern section of the Pacific Ocean.            

It is a milestone for Philippines-Indonesia relations as the EEZ boundary will open opportunities for closer cooperation in the preservation and protection of marine environment in the area, increased trade and enhanced maritime security.  The EEZ boundary was based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the state practice and decisions of international tribunals on maritime boundary delimitation.        

It is also a result of negotiations aimed to peacefully resolve maritime issues between two archipelagic states.     

This is the first maritime boundary treaty for the Philippines. 

The EEZ boundary line defines the limits of the sea space in the southern Philippines to give fishermen and other stakeholders a clear view of the area where they can exercise their rights over the waters as provided for under national laws and treaties including the 1982 UNCLOS.