Whereas Barbados and the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (the “Parties”) are Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“the Convention”); 

Whereas Barbados has invoked Article 287 of the Convention and Article 1 of Annex VII to the Convention with regard to a dispute concerning the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf between Barbados and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as set out in Barbados’ “Statement of the Claim and the Grounds on Which it is Based” dated 16 February 2004; 

Whereas in accordance with Article 298 of the Convention neither Party has declared any exceptions to Part XV of the Convention governing the settlement of disputes; and neither Party has made a written declaration choosing the means for settlement of disputes under Article 287 (1) of the Convention;