The entry into force of the Treaty between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Australia establishing their Maritime Borders in the Timor Sea has been formalised today, with an exchange of diplomatic notes between the Prime Ministers of Timor-Leste and Australia in in front of the Government Palace in Dili.

This exchange of notes was organised to coincide with the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the popular consultation that led to the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence and preceded, two days earlier, by the signing of six Production Sharing Agreements to carry over the previous oil projects in the Joint Petroleum Development Area and Australia for the exclusive jurisdiction of Timor-Leste. The elaboration of the documents related to this process had the active participation of a team from Miranda & Associados who worked intensely during this process over the last years.

On ratification of this Treaty, Ricardo Alves Silva, partner and head of Timor-Leste's jurisdiction in Miranda, said: “The entry into force of this historic treaty was preceded by the negotiation between Timor-Leste, Australia, and the oil companies with a wide range of contracts and legislation, including the six production sharing contracts, two laws of the National Parliament, and four Decree-Laws, among other instruments necessary for the exchange of notes to take place. Following the intervention of a Miranda team in the mandatory conciliation process between the two states and in the negotiation and drafting of the Treaty, this was the last step left to realise the dream of the Timorese state and people of delimiting their maritime borders with Australia in the Timor Sea. Miranda's history is intertwined with the struggle of the Timorese people for political, territorial and economic independence over the years. We are very proud to have participated in this process that involved several colleagues from different areas of the firm.”

The team from Miranda & Associados consisted of Maria Figueiredo, Joao Leite, Ines Frutuoso de Melo, Ricardo Silva and other colleagues that participated during the last 18 months in this process of negotiating the so-called “transitional agreements”. Maria Figueiredo, João Leite and Ricardo Silva attended the two ceremonies, as well as the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Popular Consultation that took place on the night of the 30th, in the mythical Tasi Tolu camp where, decades before, during the camp mass of the Pope John Paul II, thousands of young East Timorese demonstrated for the independence of the country suffering serious reprisals, which was also the venue for the formal independence ceremonies of Timor-Leste on May 20, 2002.