A dispute over the ownership of two remote rocky outcrops in the ocean between New Caledonia and Vanuatu is unlikely to result in any serious diplomatic friction, according to an Australian expert.
The argument over who owns Matthew and Hunter has flared again, with the Vanuatu government upset that a New Zealand research vessel landed scientists on the islands recently after asking for permission from Noumea, but not Port Vila.
Stuart Kaye, Director and Professor of Law with the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security tells Bruce Hill the Matthew and Hunter issue has been a sore point ever since Vanuatu achieved independence in 1980, but it's not something that will cause lasting damage to relations.
Kaye told Pacific Beat, the dispute has been around for a whole and it hasn’t manifested in any unpleasantness over the last 25 or 30 years.
He adds it’s unlikely to raise and significant problems although it does exist and is a sore point between Vanuatu and France.
In a large area of ocean. Potential to generate a pretty large area of maritime jurisdiction around them which would contain fisheries and potential for oil and gas. Although I don’t think realistically there is any oil or gas before looked for in this area.
Photo file. Caption: Hunter Island