Joint Press Release 

Between the Republic of the Philippines 

and the Republic of Indonesia

Bangkok, 22 June 2019

On the occasion of their bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on 22 June 2019, H.E. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, and H.E. Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, welcomed the completion of the two countries’ respective domestic requirements for the entry into force of the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Indonesia Concerning the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary.

This landmark accord concluded between the two biggest archipelagic states stands as a valuable example of the peaceful and rules-based settlement of maritime borders in accordance with 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Agreement provides legal certainty on the EEZ boundary between the two countries, promotes deeper cooperation in their respective maritime sectors and thus contributes to the prosperity and economic development of both countries and the larger region.

Both leaders look forward to the entry into force of the Agreement within this year, upon the formal exchange of the instruments of ratification by their respective Foreign Ministers. This significant and positive development attests to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia, and adds further meaning to the ongoing celebration of the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations.  END