Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, June
7
SINGAPORE: Singaporean and Malaysian officials met on Tuesday to
discuss the implementation of the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) judgement on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.
The foreign ministers of both countries released a joint
statement on Friday, saying that a technical sub—committee will be
set up to oversee joint survey works, to prepare for eventual talks
on maritime issues in and around that area.
They also agreed that if an incident occurs, humanitarian
assistance will be provided by either side, as part of a common aim
to ensure safety and security in those waters.
The joint committee representing the two countries also agreed
that fishermen on both sides will be allowed to continue with their
traditional fishing activities there.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to honour and abide by
the ICJ’s judgement, and fully implement its decisions.
The two delegations were led by the Secretary—General of the
Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Rastam Mohd Isa, and Permanent
Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Ho.
On May 23, the ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca to
Singapore, and ownership of Middle Rocks to Malaysia.
The court, however, left the issue of South Ledge open, and said
that it should belong to the state in the territorial waters of
which it is located. — CNA/ac
