Energy Ministry of Bangladesh will decide next course of action after receiving the copy of the verdict of International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Senior officials at the Energy Ministry on March 15 said it will be unwise to make any comment about the government’s next programme following the win in the legal battle with neighbouring Myanmar in the ITLOS. The ITLOS in its verdict on March 14 recognised Bangladesh’s claims to a full 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Bay of Bengal, and to a substantial share of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) beyond 200 nautical miles.
The ruling, by a vote of 21 to 1 brings to a conclusion the case initiated by Bangladesh against Myanmar in December 2009 to resolve longstanding dispute regarding the maritime boundary between the two neighbouring states. The judgment is final and without appeal.
Bangladesh wanted 107,000 square kilometres area in the Bay but got 111,000 square kilometres.
Myanmar had claimed that its maritime boundary with Bangladesh cut directly across the Bangladesh coastline, severely truncating Bangladesh’s maritime jurisdiction to a narrow wedge of sea not extending beyond 130 nautical miles. Myanmar also claimed that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to award continental shelf rights beyond 200 nautical miles from either State’ s coast. The tribunal rejected both of these arguments.
Bangladesh had floated international tender for its 28 shallow and deep sea blocks in the Bay of Bengal in 2008. But Myanmar and India raised objections claiming their rights on some of the blocks, which finally prompted the government to move the ITLOS. However, though the dispute with Myanmar has now been settled through the ITLOS verdict, the dispute with India remains to be resolved.
Source: energybangla