Tinjauan Yuridis Penggunaan Jalur Diplomasi dalam Sengketa Perbatasan Laut antara Indonesia dan Timor Leste

Abstract

The maritime boundary dispute between Indonesia and Timor-Leste constitutes a problem of maritime delimitation. Efforts to address this dispute may be pursued through peaceful diplomacy, prioritizing negotiation, mediation, and conciliation as means to achieve mutually beneficial solutions. This study aims to analyze the settlement of the dispute from the perspective of international law. Specifically, the research examines the regulation of maritime dispute settlement through diplomatic channels, the international legal perspective on the maritime boundary dispute between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, and the mechanisms for the use of diplomatic approaches in resolving the maritime boundary dispute between Indonesia and Timor-Leste under international law. This research employs a normative legal research method using a statute approach. The data are derived from primary legal materials such as the Convention, and Law and Regulation. Secondary data were obtained from literature, journals, and official documents, while data collection was conducted through library research and qualitative analysis of relevant international legal norms and principles. The findings indicate that The settlement of maritime boundary disputes between Indonesia and Timor-Leste primarily relies on peaceful diplomacy approaches as mandated by the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS 1982, with bilateral negotiations serving as the main avenue for determining the territorial sea, Exclusive Economic Zone, and continental shelf boundaries. Both countries prioritize direct dialogue based on the median line and equitable solution principles while taking into account relevant geographical factors and complex historical backgrounds. This diplomacy process is supported by joint technical forums such as the Joint Border Committee and the Technical Sub-Committee on Border Demarcation and Regulation, which analyze geospatial data and formulate provisional arrangements to prevent conflict. Throughout the process, both states must refrain from unilateral actions and negotiate in good faith, reflecting a diplomacy commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes. If negotiations reach an impasse, diplomacy mechanisms may continue through mediation, conciliation, or international arbitration, ensuring that the resolution remains rooted in constructive dialogue and cooperation. Keywords: Maritime Border Dispute, International Law