What is EEZ and how does it impact maritime boundary disputes?

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from a coastal state's baseline. Within this zone, the state has special rights to explore, exploit, and manage the natural resources, both living and non-living, in the water column and the seabed.

The concept of EEZ has significant implications for maritime boundary disputes, particularly between neighboring states. The overlapping of EEZs can lead to conflicts over the exploitation of marine resources, such as oil and gas reserves, as well as fisheries. The rules for resolving such disputes are laid out in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It advocates that the states involved should negotiate in good faith and take all necessary measures to prevent the escalation of the conflict. In case of an unresolved dispute, the convention provides for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, such as mediation, arbitration, or adjudication.