JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia and Vietnam are working towards ratifying the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement in the South China Sea, said Indonesia’s Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation chairman, Dr Fadli Zon.
After twelve years of intensive negotiations, both nations have reached an agreement on the boundaries of their respective EEZs. This announcement was made by President Joko Widodo of Indonesia and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the Bogor Palace in West Java in December 2022.
Fadli highlighted that the two countries are currently in the process of finalising the implementing arrangement and moving forward with the ratification of the agreement.
"The implementation is a huge progress and significant not only for our bilateral cooperation but also for regional security,” he said in his speech at the policy dialogue held here Saturday.
The finalisation of the EEZ agreement reflects the mutual concerns and commitment of both countries to international maritime principles outlined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This agreement complements the 2003 delimitation of the continental shelf boundary.
Fadli believes that resolving bilateral maritime boundaries among Asean states will strengthen the group's position in negotiations regarding a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, the guidelines for which have just been completed.
Additionally, Fadli highlighted the connection between the EEZ agreement and the collaboration between Indonesia and Vietnam in the maritime and defence sectors. The two nations have recently concluded their Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation for the period 2017-2022, as well as a second defence policy dialogue.
"It shows how our cooperation in this sector is very serious and vital,” he added.
The dialogue, titled 'The Vietnam-Indonesia Steadfast Strategic Partnership,' was organised by the Vietnam Embassy and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia to commemorate the ten-year relationship between the two countries. The event was attended by Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue.
During the event, Vuong delivered a speech on the South China Sea issue, urging all parties involved to unite and persist in promoting dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring the security, safety, and freedom of maritime and aviation activities.
Furthermore, he stressed the necessity of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and negotiating an effective and efficient COC code in accordance with international law and UNCLOS. - Bernama
