The issue of what the lateral lines should be may be irrelevant given the likely political
difficulties with Indonesia’s involvement if the lateral lines were to be amended. As stated in
the Libya/Malta case it is “difficult to imagine more relevant circumstances than the rights of
a geologically immediate neighbour.” Any decision to amend the boundaries would have to
take into account the non-encroachment principle and the impact that a re-determination
would have on the sovereign rights of Indonesia