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.