Timor Sea dispute poses stability risk to East Timor

Significance

In the article, Ramos-Horta argues that Australia unfairly negotiated the Timor Sea maritime border. East Timor launched compulsory conciliation proceedings against Australia under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) earlier this month.

Impacts

• Canberra's standoff with Dili will hinder its ability to pressure Beijing on the legality of South China Sea boundaries.
• The choice of offshore floating LNG facilities versus onshore investment will prove politically contentious in other jurisdictions.
• Much-needed economic diversification is unlikely to occur before vital revenues from the Bayu-Undan field drop off.