Australia and Indonesia set on maritime boundaries
Australia and Indonesia set on maritime boundaries
CANBERRA (Agencies): Australia and Indonesia have reached final agreement on the maritime boundaries between the two countries, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said yesterday.
"The breakthrough is particularly satisfying coming as it does on the eve of (Prime Minister John) Howard's first visit to Indonesia as prime minister, " Downer said in a statement, AFP reported.
Howard visits Jakarta Monday and Tuesday next week.
The boundaries agreement was the culmination of more than 25 years of negotiations, Downer said.
He said officials from the two sides reached agreement Thursday on the three outstanding maritime-boundary issues between Australia and Indonesia -- the overall boundary runs from Christmas Island and Java in the west to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east.
The specific boundaries agreed were those between Christmas Island and Java in the Indian Ocean; the western extension of the seabed boundary from just north of Australia's Ashmore and Cartier Islands in the Timor Sea; and the final water boundary between the two nations.
The agreement would be submitted to both governments for approval, with a formal treaty expected to be signed in the near future, Downer said.
He said agreement on the boundaries highlighted the importance the conservative coalition government -- which won a March election -- attached to relations with Indonesia and "exemplifies the way in which we are able to work together to resolve issues of common interest."
Reuters meanwhile reported that Howard, who leaves for Indonesia and Japan on Monday, plans to use his first major overseas tour to allay concerns over his government's commitment to the Asian region.
"The basic message for the prime minister will be to affirm his commitment to the region," a senior Australian official said yesterday.
Howard had planned to make his first foreign visit to Japan and Indonesia earlier in August to underscore his regional commitment, but was forced to cancel when his wife, Janette, needed a major operation.
His first overseas trip was to the Marshall Islands earlier this month for the annual South Pacific Forum meeting of Pacific nations.
The official said Howard hoped regional leaders would still see his decision to make his first state visits to Indonesia and Japan, two key trading and strategic partners, as significant.
Since its election in March, Australia's Liberal-National government has sought to reassure its economically booming neighbors of its commitment to the region while at the same trying to strengthen ties with Europe and the United States.
Indonesia is Australia's 12th largest trading partner and one of its fastest growing markets, with bilateral trade worth more than A$3.3 billion (US$2.64 billion)in 1994/95.
Howard leaves Jakarta on Wednesday for Japan -- Australia's largest trading partner. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and other senior government figures.
Bilateral trade between Australia and Japan was worth A$29.1 billion (US$23.2 billion) in 1994/95 (July-June).
Howard returns to Australia on Sept. 21.