The New Italian Exclusive Economic Zone and Italy-Montenegro Maritime Boundary Delimitation

Abstract

The paper examines the newly proclaimed Italian Exclusive Economic Zone and its impact on the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between Italy and Montenegro. By Law No. 91 of 14 June 2021, published in the Official Journal No. 148 of 23 June 2021, the Italian Parliament proclaimed its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to allow Italy to fully project its economic rights over an area of the sea extending up to 200 miles from its shores or up to the limit allowed by international law. In line with the trend of progressive extension of the jurisdiction of coastal states in waters beyond their territorial sea in the Mediterranean, this measure is taken in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to allow the country to protect its economic activities, and biodiversity protection. Anyway, even if the law authorizes the EEZ establishment, a further ad hoc measure is required to this aim. Its delimitation will take place primarily based on agreements: Italy is supposed to negotiate new agreements with the neighboring Countries, including Montenegro, in order to define its boundaries.