Joint Press Statement by Dr Rais Yatim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore: Second MSJTC Meeting, Putrajaya, 20 August 2008

THE SECOND MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE
JOINT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (MSJTC) MEETING
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE JUDGMENT ON PEDRA BRANCA, MIDDLE ROCKS AND SOUTH LEDGE

PUTRAJAYA , 20 AUGUST 2008

Malaysia and Singapore met on 20 August 2008 in Putrajaya to further discuss the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge. The Malaysian delegation was led by Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and the Singapore delegation was led by Mr. Peter Ho, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to honour and abide by the ICJ’s judgment and fully implement its decision by continuing the discussions pursuant to the previous MSJTC Meeting held in Singapore on 3 June 2008.

The MSJTC reviewed the work of the Sub-Committee on Joint Survey Works and agreed that the Sub-Committee should continue to hold discussions in the following weeks to finalise technical preparations relating to the Joint Hydrographic Survey.  The Meeting agreed on the establishment of a Sub-Committee on Maritime & Airspace Management and Fisheries which met on 20 August 2008.  The Meeting also agreed that traditional fishing activities by both countries will continue in waters beyond 0.5 nautical miles off Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge respectively.

The MSJTC agreed that the Sub-Committee on Maritime & Airspace Management and Fisheries should also continue to hold discussions in the following weeks with regard to other issues relating to maritime and airspace management.

Both sides were very pleased with the progress made by the Joint Technical Committee and agreed that the next meeting be held in mid-September 2008 in Singapore. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MALAYSIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

1 SEPTEMBER 2008