Vietnamese and Indonesian defence ministries signed a Declaration on Joint Vision on Defence Cooperation for 2017-2022 following talks between the two Defence Ministers in Jakarta on October 13. 

Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich (L) and Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu

The declaration aims to boost bilateral partnership in national defence, maintain security and stability in the region, protect international principles and law, and cooperate to deal with non-traditional security threats and relevant risks. 

It also specifies contents in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation among defence officials and related activities signed in October 2010, through which setting the directions for expanding and deepening the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership.

During talks with Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich affirmed that Vietnam always wants to further deepen traditional ties between the two armies and countries and highly values Indonesia’s role in the region, especially in ASEAN. 

The two sides shared the view that bilateral defence cooperation has produced practical results in line with the MoU signed in October 2010, particularly in the exchange of visits, joint activities of their naval, air and coast guard forces and training. Both sides  agreed to continue with full and effective implementation of contents in the MOU, focusing on the establishment of a defence policy dialogue mechanism and bolstering collaboration in defence industry, among others. 

They pledged to continue with consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums and in issues of mutual concern. 

On the fishermen-related issue, Minister Lich suggested that until the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is demarcated, law enforcement agencies of the two countries should exchange information and properly deal with contingencies in the field to prevent regrettable incidents. 

The Indonesian minister, for his part, affirmed that the Indonesian Defence Ministry will partner with domestic ministries and agencies to settle the issue with a view to preserving the good relationship with Vietnam. 

On October 12, the Vietnamese defence minister had a meeting with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto, during which Lich asked the host to continue supporting and making bilateral defence ties a pillar in Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership. 

He also clarified Vietnam’s stance on the fishermen-related issue. 

Wiranto, in reply, said the two countries signed an agreement on continental shelf delimitation in overlapping waters in 2003. During talks between Indonesian President Widodo and Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in August 2017, both sides agreed to further step up negotiations on EEZ demarcation. 

He hoped that negotiations would further progress and affirmed that Indonesia wants to settle disputes by peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

During an official visit from October 11-13, Lich also met Commander of the Indonesian National Army, General Gatot Nurmanto.

VNA