8 Dec 2018

Maritime boundaries: Vanuatu to learn from Timor

10:21 am on 8 December 2018

Vanuatu says it's keen to learn from Timor Leste about maritime boundaries.

Timor Leste signed a treaty with Australia this year resolving a long-standing boundary dispute.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Timor's chief negotiator on maritime boundaries, Xanana Gusmao, met this week in Port Vila.

A government statement said Mr Salwai wants Vanuatu to learn from Mr Gusmao, who mentioned Vanuatu's support for his country's fight for independence.

Mr Gusmao suggested Vanuatu raise the issue of maritime boundaries at the United Nations.

Vanuatu held talks this year with France over the Matthew and Hunter islands.

Both countries claim the uninhabited volcanic islands east of New Caledonia and south-east of Vanuatu.

Vanuatu and Fiji have also recently agreed to start talks over boundary issues.

Timor Leste's chief maritime negotiator Xanana Gusmao with Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai

Photo: Vanuatu government