Indonesia, Timor Leste set up consultation mechanism to address border issues

Indonesia and Timor Leste have set up Senior Official Consultation (SOC) mechanism in addressing disputes in areas bordering the two neighboring countries.

The agreement to set up the SOC was resulted from a meeting between Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Wiranto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Timor Leste's Strategic Investment and Development Planning Minister Xanana Gusmao here on Monday.

The SOC initial meeting was scheduled on March 10 in Bali, Wiranto said on the sidelines of the meeting.

Senior officials attending the SOC in Bali would be assigned to draft steps aimed at settling the dispute thoroughly, which would eventually be approved by the two respective countries, Wiranto added.

In the same occasion, Retno said that establishment of SOC was the peak of long-time negotiations previously conducted by officials of the two neighboring countries to settle their border disputes.

Retno added that Indonesian delegation in the SOC would be led by Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa affairs at the foreign ministry Desra Percaya, meanwhile Timor Leste delegation would be led by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Roberto Soares.

According to Retno, the SOC discussions would constitute representatives of communities inhabiting around the disputed border areas.

Timor Leste, a former Indonesian province, opted to separate from Indonesia through a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999 and declared independence in 2002. Endit