Continental Shelf (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya/Malta) - Application by the Government of Italy for permission to intervene

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

Peace Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague. Tel. 92 44 41. Cables: IntercourtThe Hague

Telex 32323

No. 83J6
25 October 1983

Continental Shelf (LibyanArab JamahiriyalMalta)

Applf cation by the Government of Italy for permission
to intervene

The following iafomtion is made available to the press by the
Registry of the International Court of Justice:

On 24 October 1983 the Government of Italy Siled an Application for

permission to intervene in the case concerning the dispute between the
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Malta as to the delimitationof the
continental shelf between the two States. It 1s based on Article 62,
paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Çtatute of the Court, which read as follows:

"1. Should a State considerthat it has an interest of a

legal naturewhich may be affected by the decision of the case,
it may aubrait a request to the Court to be permitted to
Inter vene.

2. It'ahall be for the Court to decide upon this request."

The Government of Italy indicates in its Applicatfon that the object
of its intervention in the case concerning delimitationof the
continental shelf between the Libyan Arab Jamahirkya and Malta is to
enable ic to participate in the proceedings to the full extent necessary
to defend its rights over certain areas clafmed by the Parties, so that
the Court may be able to take those rights into account in its decision.

Under Article 83 of the Rulea of Court, the Application for
permission to intervene was immediately communicated ta the Parties, and
a tirne-limit (5 December 1983) fixed by the President for them to present
wsitten observations thereon.

It will be for the Court to decide as a matter of priority whether
the application to intervene is admitted. Should an objection be raised,
it willhear the Parties and Italy before deciding.