By Xinhua,
Singapore : Singapore and Malaysia will set up a technical sub-committee to help in the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on a tiny but strategic uninhabited island Pedra Branca and its other rocky outcrop, said a joint statement on Friday.
Foreign officials of both countries met on Tuesday and agreed to set up the sub-committee to oversee joint survey works to prepare for eventual talks on maritime issues in and around that area, said the statement.
They also agreed that if an incident occurs, humanitarian assistance will be provided by either side, as part of a common aim to ensure safety and security in those waters.
The joint committee representing the two countries also agreed that fishermen on both sides will be allowed to continue with their traditional fishing activities there.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to honor and abide by the ICJ’s judgment, and fully implement its decisions.
The two delegations were led by the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Rastam Mohd Isa, and Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Ho.
On May 23, the ICJ awarded Singapore sovereignty over the uninhabited island Pedra Branca, concluding a 28-year sovereignty dispute with neighboring Malaysia. It also awarded ownership of Middle Rocks to Malaysia, while left the issue of South Ledge open, saying that it should belong to the state in the territorial waters of which it is located.