Subject: ABC: Ramos Horta promises movement on Timor Sea deal
ABC News Online
Ramos Horta promises movement on Timor Sea deal
East Timor's Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta says he will move within weeks
to ratify a multi-billion dollar boundary deal with Australia on oil and gas
reserves in the Timor Sea.
He says he will argue that East Timor's Parliament should approve the
agreement, which was signed with Australia in January.
The Greater Sunrise field is one of the largest proven oil and gas reserves
in the Asia-Pacific.
Dr Ramos Horta says Australia and East Timor agreed to a 50-50 split of
revenue from the Timor Sea field.
"Timor Leste can not be in the habit of negotiating agreements, signing
them, and then we change our mind and withhold ratification. So we will intend
to do it," he said.
"I intend to bring it to Parliament and make a robust and a convincing
argument in defence of this agreement."
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