Abstract

This article analyzes a little-noticed aspect of the international legal controversy pertaining to Svalbard’s maritime zones. It concerns where and by which method Norway should draw the boundaries between Svalbard’s continental shelf and the 200-mile zone, on the one hand, and other maritime zones subject to Norwegian jurisdiction, on the other. The assumption upon which the discussion rests is that the Spitsbergen Treaty signatories enjoy treaty rights in the maritime zones beyond Svalbard’s territorial waters. The law of the sea does not contain rules on the drawing of maritime boundaries between different parts of a state’s territory, but the rules on delimitation between states offer a strong analogy. In the search for an equitable solution, primacy should be given to geographical factors. The article argues that Norway could do more to enhance the openness regarding the Svalbard delimitation question since its outcome will be of significant interest to other states.

摘要

本文分析了与斯瓦尔巴群岛海域有关的国际法律争议中鲜为人知的方面。它关注的是挪威一方面应以何种方式划定斯瓦尔巴群岛的大陆架与200英里区域之间的界限，另一方面应划定受挪威管辖的其他海域之间的界限。讨论的依据是，《斯匹次卑尔根条约》的签署国在斯瓦尔巴群岛领海以外的海域享有条约权。海洋法不包含划定一国领土不同部分之间的海洋边界的规则，但关于国家之间划界的规则提供了强有力的类比。在寻求公平解决方案时，应优先考虑地理因素。