SINGAPORE: Maritime boundary delimitation disputes are best settled through negotiations, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Thursday (Dec 13).
Responding to media queries on Singapore's filing of a declaration under Article 298 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the ministry said Singapore believes that such disputes were best resolved through negotiations in order to reach an amicable settlement acceptable to all parties.
Advertisement"However, if this cannot be achieved, Singapore is prepared to settle such a dispute by recourse to an appropriate international third-party dispute settlement procedure, on terms mutually agreed to by the parties," said an MFA spokesperson.
In order for such recourse to international dispute settlement to be based on the mutual agreement of the parties, the Singapore Government on Wednesday had filed a declaration under UNCLOS.
"This declaration means that other states parties to UNCLOS cannot unilaterally commence third party arbitration or adjudication against Singapore in respect of maritime boundary disputes.
"Singapore likewise cannot unilaterally commence third-party arbitration or adjudication against other states parties for such disputes," the spokesperson added.
AdvertisementAdvertisementIf a dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations, MFA said Singapore will work with the other party to agree on the choice of forum and the specific issues to be decided so that the matter can be submitted to arbitration or adjudication.
"This is preferable to one party taking another unilaterally to arbitration or adjudication, without prior mutual agreement on these key issues."
Countries such as France, Canada, Italy, Spain, Australia and Thailand have made similar UNCLOS declarations, MFA said.
"Singapore has informed Malaysia that Singapore has filed this declaration," said the spokesperson.
Representatives from Singapore and Malaysia will meet in the second week of January next year to discuss the Johor Bahru port limits issue.
"Singapore hopes that by engaging each other, the two governments will reach a swift and amicable resolution, in accordance with international law," said MFA, adding that Singapore remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law.
Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday said that Malaysia has taken steps to de-escalate tensions on the ground as one Malaysian ship remained in Singapore's territorial waters.
There were three Malaysian government vessels in Singapore's waters last Friday.
Let's block ads! (Why?)
More...