Timor Treaty - Maritime Boundaries Submission 8

Abstract

The 2018 Timor Treaty has a number of innovative provisions and represents a significant breakthrough in the maritime boundary arrangements between Australia and Timor Leste in the Timor Sea. It has been concluded through a process that is consistent with international law, and particularly the law of the sea. The Treaty has the potential to repair a bilateral relationship that has been damaged in recent years as a result of a number of issues arising from the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty and associated agreements, and international litigation before courts and tribunals. While the Treaty has the potential to provide much needed legal certainty a number of critical issues remain to be resolved before the Australia/Timor-Leste Timor Sea maritime boundary and the associated legal regime is finally settled.