- Published: 12.03.2024.
State Secretary Metelko-Zgombić presents draft law on ratification of Croatia-Italy EEZ demarcation agreement
The state secretary emphasized that the Agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Grlić Radman in Rome on May 24, 2022, and it establishes the final line of demarcation of EEZ between the two neighbouring states at sea, following the already existing demarcation line of the continental shelves between the two countries. In this way, the demarcation line that the Croatian Parliament declared as temporary, in the Decision on the Declaration of the EEZ of the Republic of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea of February 5, 2021, considering the rules of international law on the delimitation of maritime areas in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has become the permanent and final demarcation line between the Republic of Croatia and the Italian Republic.
During expert discussions and negotiations conducted throughout 2021 and 2022, both sides exchanged views and opinions on the (non)existence of relevant circumstances to be taken into account when determining the demarcation line (including claims related to baseline and fishing), and both sides ultimately agreed that the EEZ demarcation line will follow the line of delimitation of the continental shelf between the two countries.
Metelko-Zgombić emphasized that this Agreement between Croatia and Italy establishes a unique line of delimitation in the Adriatic Sea, which separates the continental shelves (seabed and subsoil) and exclusive economic zones (seabed and subsoil and the water column above them), a solution that contains a number of advantages, in the interest of legal security and is supported by international legal theory and practice.
In addition to protecting its interests and rights established by international law, by this Agreement, Croatia lays the foundation for even stronger cooperation with Italy in the Adriatic, especially in the part of bilateral relations related to the protection of the marine environment, sustainable use of the sea, and its natural resources.
Moreover, by concluding this Agreement, Croatia has confirmed its ability to agree with a neighbouring country on resolving the issue of delimitation of its spaces in line with international law.
After the 1975 Osimo Agreement, which established the line of delimitation of territorial seas between Croatia and Italy, as well as the 1968 Agreement, and its precise determination by the 2005 Agreement, which established the line of delimitation of the continental shelf, the Agreement on the Demarcation of Exclusive Economic Zones regulates and completes the issue of delimitation between Croatia and Italy in a permanent manner.
In conclusion, Metelko-Zgombić called on all representatives to support the adoption of the law on the ratification of this Agreement and participate in this important moment for Croatia, in which, in accordance with Croatian interests and international law, a large area of the Croatian sea covered by the exclusive economic zone is finally delimited towards Italy, and all delimitation issues with Italy are concluded on a permanent basis.
By ratifying this Agreement in the Croatian Parliament, the conditions for its entry into force will be created.
Demarcation Chart