15 October 2015 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa signed the Joint Statement between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia Concerning the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf Boundary on 10 October 2014 at the Bali International Convention Center.

The signing was witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. President Aquino was in Bali to co-chair the 7th Bali Democracy Forum with his Indonesian counterpart.

The Joint Statement expresses the full intention of both countries to pursue discussions on a possible negotiation regarding the overlapping continental shelves of the Philippines and Indonesia.

This signing comes after the conclusion of the historic Philippines-Indonesia agreement to delimit the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary between the two countries, which was hailed by the international community as a positive example of a peaceful and cooperative solution of a maritime dispute in accordance with international law.

In speaking about this latest Joint Statement with Indonesia, Secretary Del Rosario said “these continuing cooperative actions on delimitation of boundaries show our longstanding good relations with Indonesia, as well as the adherence of our two nations to a rules-based regime wherein countries settle disputes on the basis of respect, equality and amity.”  END