Xanana Gusmao: Importance of Maritime Security for East Timor

By Xanana Gusmao
[ Jakarta Globe ] http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/
opinion/importance-maritime-security-east-timor

Xanana Gusmao
Foto Tiago Petinga/Lusa (expresso.sapo.pt)

If we want to address the issue of security and stability in the South China Sea and elsewhere, we are talking about common borders, common threats and common challenges.

And when we discuss all these problems, we all assume that everyone of us is governed by international law, without which relationships between states and governments cannot be carried out within a framework of rules, set and accepted by all. These rules seek to shape our political behavior in terms of cooperation.

Without establishing this set of principles, to which all of us bow, which is to say that we all vow to enforce it, talking about maritime security and stability would be talking about very vague and general policy issues, while this subject is linked directly with the individual interests of each country.

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The Jakarta Globe - Importance of Maritime Security for East Timor
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/importance-maritime-security-east-timor/