ICJ: Public Hearings in the Black Sea Case Between Romania and Ukraine

The International Court of Justice announced that it would hold public hearings in the case concerning the Maritime Delimitation in the Black Sea (Romania v. Ukraine).  The public hearings will be from Tuesday, September 2, 2008 to Friday, September 19, 2008, at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Romania had filed an application in 2004 seeking to establish a single maritime boundary in the Black Sea, to delimit the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zones.  Romania contended that negotiations with Ukraine since 1998 have been inconclusive.

Because neither Romania nor Ukraine had a judge from their own nationality, both states exercised their right to name an ad hoc judge to sit on the case.  Romania chose Mr. Jean-Pierre Cot of France as its judge, and Ukraine chose Mr. Bernard H. Oxman of the United States of America as its judge.

Visit the ICJ website for information on how to attend the proceedings in person.  Applications for individual admission will close midday on Monday, September 1, 2008.  Verbatim records of the hearings will be published daily on the Court's website, with translations to follow as soon as practicable.

(mew)