Phl, Indonesia conclude meeting on overlapping EEZs

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and Indonesia have concluded the meeting in Jakarta aimed at identifying an option to resolve the overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of both countries in the Mindanao-Celebes Sea border.

The technical panels discussed the option for establishing the EEZ boundary of the Philippines and Indonesia during the 3rd preparatory meeting of the 8th Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns.

The panels were guided by the relevant positions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international law principles to achieve an equitable solution to their overlapping EEZs.

The panels would finalize their discussions on the EEZ at the 4th preparatory meeting to be held in Manila later this year.

The results of the meeting will then be referred to the 8th meeting of the Joint Permanent Working Group, which will also be held in Manila after the preparatory meeting.

The Joint Permanent Working Group will submit a recommendation to the Philippine foreign affairs secretary and Indonesian foreign minister on the proposed EEZ boundary.

Gilberto Asuque, deputy chief of mission at the Philippine embassy in Tokyo, heads the Philippine technical panel to the meeting in Jakarta.

Director Octavino Alimudin led the 25-member Indonesian technical panel.