After four years of negotiations, the governments of Indonesia and Singapore
agreed on a sea border on Tuesday, formed by Nipah and Tuas islands in the Singapore strait, Antara state newswire reports.
After signing the deal with Singapore's
foreign minister George Yeo, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the
agreement was in its second stage after first being inked in May, 1973.
Under the agreement, the two islands would form part of Singapore's western sea border, although it is
unclear from the report whether the islands would be part of Singapore or
Indonesian territory.
"We hope this deal will help develop cooperative ties between the two
countries, and we are optimistic about reaching similar agreements for the eastern
sea border, later," Wirajuda said.
The eastern sea border is divided into two segments. The first segment includes
an area between Changi and Batam, while the second encompasses a region between
Bintan and South Ledge/Middle Rock/Pedra Branca.
Minister George Yeo said both governments would discuss the two segments
immediately but had not set any deadlines to finalize the negotiations. (ewd)
