What is East Timor asking for in relation to their maritime boundary claim with Australia?
As a sovereign nation, East Timor has the right to set permanent boundaries with its neighbours, including Australia. As a people, as part of the exercise of the right to self-determination, the East Timorese have the right to control the resources to which they are entitled. This is East Timor’s main aim in their maritime boundary claim against Australia. East Timor has claimed an exclusive economic zone around its coastline. In parts, this claim overlaps with Australia’s claimed area. East Timor wants this dispute resolved in accordance with current principles of international law. East Timor’s negotiating position is based on a median line (that is, drawing a line halfway between Australia and East Timor) and on equitable lateral boundaries. Australia disagrees with this position. If the boundaries cannot be set by negotiation, East Timor has asked for the question to go to an international arbitration body, to let an independent umpire decide. Australia opposes this, and has withdr
