Constitution amended: Changing Maldives' EEZ will need referendum

The Maldivian Parliament yesterday passed a constitutional amendment requiring a referendum to change the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Article three of the Constitution currently defines Maldives territory as the land, airspace, sea and seabed within the archipelagic baselines of the Maldives drawn in accordance with the law, and includes territorial waters, the seabed and airspace thereof beyond the said baselines. It also requires any changes to this territory to be made pursuant to a law enacted by at least a two third majority of the total membership of the Parliament.