On 20 August 1971, in Tunis, Italy and Tunisia sign the Agreement concerning the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf — the treaty fixing the maritime boundary in the Strait of Sicily.

The baseline is the equidistant median between Sicily and Tunisia, except for Pantelleria and the Pelagian Islands (Lampedusa, Linosa, Lampione), around which the limits follow 12–13 nautical-mile arcs.

Supplemental minutes of 23 January 1975 add the map and 32 coordinate points. Entry into force followed ratifications (6 December 1978); the treaty was registered with the UN (No. 17601).

The document remains a classic example of continental-shelf delimitation in the central Mediterranean.

For Italy–Tunisia relations, 20 August 1971 marks the Tunis signature.

The text is published by UN DOALOS and in Limits in the Seas (US).

The Italy–Tunisia delimitation agreement of 20 August 1971 remains the continental-shelf boundary milestone.

Image: Mediterranean; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Italy–Tunisia Delimitation Agreement. Treaty text: UN DOALOS — Italy–Tunisia Agreement (1971).