09.23.08
Seychelles and Mauritius speed up to claim continental shelf
On September 18, 2008, Seychelles and Mauritius speeded up their efforts with a view to claim the extended continental shelf before the deadeline.
The deadline is scheduled in May 2009. By May 13, 2009, the two offshore jurisdictions have to make their submission to the UN, otherwise they will lose forever the area that they are seeking.
To speed up the process, Seychelles and Mauritius signed a framework that enables these offshore jurisdictions to meet the target. So, on September 18 Raymond Chang-Tave, special adviser in the Ministry of National Development, and Mauritian Ambassador to Seychelles Jagdish Koonjul signed the framework at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Chang-Tave, Seychelles and Mauritius have resolved to pay the same undivided attention to the work as they paid to the delimitation of the extended economic zone boundary endorsed in Mauritius in July.
Ambassador Koonjul stated that the countries moved forward very fast because a few weeks ago they started working on the maritime boundary, and just a few weeks after a bilateral joint commission between Seychelles and Mauritius the relevant agreement was signed.