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MPs urge for the permanent maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia
Dili Weekly - April 5, 2016
The calls came at a special plenary session at the National Parliament, Dili, on 3 March 2016 attended by Cosgrove and wife Lady Lynne Cosgrove, with representatives of FRETILIN, CNRT, Frente Mudansa and Democrat parties urging the Australian government to respect the sovereign rights of the Maubere people.
President of the CNRT bench MP Natalino dos Santos said they were disappointed with the Australian government's attitude and its refusal to negotiate on the establishment of a permanent maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia.
"We are happy you are here to listen to our complaints about the injustice that happened to Timorese people, particularly the wealth that we have and it is not fair when they (the Australian government) ignore it," Santos said in an address to the National Parliament. He also called on the Governor-General to relay the comments directly to the Australian government.
President of the FRETILIN bench MP Aniceto Guterres Lopes described the agreement between Timor-Leste and the Australian government as temporary as Timor always believed that its sovereign rights would one day be treated according to international law.
"Sooner or later, our sovereign rights in the Timor sea will be recognized under international law as it was not a permanent agreement," said Lopes. He added that Timor-Leste was always ready to cooperate with neighboring countries to explore oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea for the benefit of all parties.
Meanwhile, Ministry of State for the Presidential Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, said the issue was a major government priority and it would continue to press for the re-opening of negotiations on a permanent maritime boundary.
In response to the comments, Cosgrove said while Australia and Timor-Leste were neighboring countries and friends who shared a long history, there were a few issues that needed to be discussed.
He also said Australia was committed to resolving the differences between the leaders of both countries and strengthening its relationship with Timor-Leste. "We will continue to look for a fair and pragmatic solution to resolve the differences, so our connection with your country will become even stronger and deeper," said Cosgrove.
The ongoing stalemate has continued to cause tensions between the Timor-Leste and Australian governments, with thousands attending two days of protests outside the Australian embassy in Dili in April.
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