The governments of Timor-Leste and Australia intend to conclude ratification of the Permanent Maritime Boundary Treaty between the two countries on 30 August, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported quoting officials.

A member of the East Timorese government has confirmed the existence of an agreement, and “everything being done to ensure that ratification can be completed by 30 August,” which will be the twentieth anniversary of the independence referendum.

Aaron Noé Amaral, president of the National Parliament, said that the government would present three proposals for amending laws that have to be changed before the ratification of the treaty to delimit the maritime borders

Changes will be made to bills such as the Oil Fund Law, the Oil Activities Law, the Tax Law and the Timor Gap Law, as well as other changes, some of which are necessary “before ratification” and others may be approved later.

Timor-Leste and Australia on 6 March 2018 in New York signed the “Comprehensive Package Agreement on the central elements of a maritime boundary delimitation between the two countries in the Timor Sea,” a document drafted following negotiations via a Conciliation Commission. (Macauhub)