Australia and Indonesia set on maritime boundaries<\/p>\n
CANBERRA (Agencies): Australia and Indonesia have reached
\nfinal agreement on the maritime boundaries between the two
\ncountries, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"The breakthrough is particularly satisfying coming as it does
\non the eve of (Prime Minister John) Howard's first visit to
\nIndonesia as prime minister, \" Downer said in a statement, AFP
\nreported.<\/p>\n
Howard visits Jakarta Monday and Tuesday next week.<\/p>\n
The boundaries agreement was the culmination of more than 25
\nyears of negotiations, Downer said.<\/p>\n
He said officials from the two sides reached agreement
\nThursday on the three outstanding maritime-boundary issues
\nbetween Australia and Indonesia -- the overall boundary runs from
\nChristmas Island and Java in the west to the Gulf of Carpentaria
\nin the east.<\/p>\n
The specific boundaries agreed were those between Christmas
\nIsland and Java in the Indian Ocean; the western extension of the
\nseabed boundary from just north of Australia's Ashmore and
\nCartier Islands in the Timor Sea; and the final water boundary
\nbetween the two nations.<\/p>\n
The agreement would be submitted to both governments for
\napproval, with a formal treaty expected to be signed in the near
\nfuture, Downer said.<\/p>\n
He said agreement on the boundaries highlighted the importance
\nthe conservative coalition government -- which won a March
\nelection -- attached to relations with Indonesia and \"exemplifies
\nthe way in which we are able to work together to resolve issues
\nof common interest.\"<\/p>\n
Reuters meanwhile reported that Howard, who leaves for
\nIndonesia and Japan on Monday, plans to use his first major
\noverseas tour to allay concerns over his government's commitment
\nto the Asian region.<\/p>\n
\"The basic message for the prime minister will be to affirm
\nhis commitment to the region,\" a senior Australian official said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Howard had planned to make his first foreign visit to Japan
\nand Indonesia earlier in August to underscore his regional
\ncommitment, but was forced to cancel when his wife, Janette,
\nneeded a major operation.<\/p>\n
His first overseas trip was to the Marshall Islands earlier
\nthis month for the annual South Pacific Forum meeting of Pacific
\nnations.<\/p>\n
The official said Howard hoped regional leaders would still
\nsee his decision to make his first state visits to Indonesia and
\nJapan, two key trading and strategic partners, as significant.<\/p>\n
Since its election in March, Australia's Liberal-National
\ngovernment has sought to reassure its economically booming
\nneighbors of its commitment to the region while at the same
\ntrying to strengthen ties with Europe and the United States.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is Australia's 12th largest trading partner and one
\nof its fastest growing markets, with bilateral trade worth more
\nthan A$3.3 billion (US$2.64 billion)in 1994\/95.<\/p>\n
Howard leaves Jakarta on Wednesday for Japan -- Australia's
\nlargest trading partner. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister
\nRyutaro Hashimoto and other senior government figures.<\/p>\n
Bilateral trade between Australia and Japan was worth A$29.1
\nbillion (US$23.2 billion) in 1994\/95 (July-June).<\/p>\n
Howard returns to Australia on Sept. 21.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-and-indonesia-set-on-maritime-boundaries-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }