East Timor escalates boundary dispute with Australia

East Timor has initiated compulsory conciliation proceedings against Australia under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

East Timor wants to drag Australia to the negotiating table over disputed maritime boundaries. (AAP)

East Timor wants to drag Australia to the negotiating table over disputed maritime boundaries.

Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo said establishing permanent boundaries was the final step in realising East Timor's sovereignty as an independent state.

His government has initiated compulsory conciliation proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that will require the parties to argue their case before an independent panel of experts.