Question to the Prime Minister: no maritime agreement covers the resources of the EEZ

The agreements concluded between Mauritius and its foreign partners do not provide for any provision on the exploration or exploitation of natural resources in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam told the National Assembly.

The MP for Grand-Baie/Poudre-d'Or, Ram Etwareea, wanted to obtain details on the bilateral and plurilateral maritime defense and security agreements currently in force or being negotiated, other than the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, recently signed with the United States.

The head of government indicated that Mauritius has concluded 12 bilateral and plurilateral agreements, as well as memorandums of understanding with friendly countries and regional organizations in the maritime domain.

According to Navin Ramgoolam, these agreements “provide a legal framework for cooperation in areas such as maritime security and maritime domain awareness”, with the aim of strengthening the protection of Mauritius’ exclusive economic zone.

Among the instruments currently in force include the Memorandum of Understanding between the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) on the coordination of search and rescue operations in the Indian Ocean, the regional agreement on the coordination of operations at sea in the western Indian Ocean, as well as the agreement for the establishment of a mechanism for the exchange and sharing of maritime information in the western Indian Ocean.

The list also includes agreements with France, notably in the field of maritime search and rescue, defense cooperation and technical assistance with the French Armed Forces in the southern Indian Ocean zone. Agreements with South Africa, India, the United States and regional mechanisms are also among the arrangements mentioned.

The Prime Minister specified that these agreements pursue several objectives: “facilitate the rapid exchange of information and maritime intelligence”, strengthen cooperation against “piracy, armed robbery at sea, illicit trafficking, terrorism and other forms of transnational organized crime”.

They also aim to foster coordinated maritime operations, search and rescue activities, humanitarian assistance, as well as capacity building through joint training, exercises and technical assistance.

Navin Ramgoolam also indicated that an agreement was currently being studied with the United States in order to strengthen maritime operations intended to fight transnational organized crime.

Asked specifically about a possible link between these agreements and the exploitation of the natural resources of the Mauritian EEZ, the Prime Minister declared: “None of the defense and security agreements currently in force or under study provides for