Vietnam, Indonesia exchange views on security

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phung Quang Thanh and his Indonesian counterpart Purnomo Yusgiantoro held talks in Jakarta yesterday, agreeing on measures to enhance bilateral cooperation in defense and security. 

During the talks held on the sidelines of the 5th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-5), the two ministers underlined the necessity of realizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation, which was signed last October.

Minister Thanh suggested that the two sides should soon establish a working group in charge of realizing the contents of the MoU, adding that Vietnam hopes to see naval forces to take a lead in bilateral defense relations.  

He asserted that Vietnam always supports Indonesia in performing its ASEAN Chair in 2011.

Regarding the East Sea, Minister Thanh reiterated Việt Nam’s stance on peaceful solutions and observation of international laws, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to any dispute related to the area.

ASEAN countries and China should observe the Declaration on Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and build the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in the near future.

Indonesia hopes that the East Sea is a stable and secure region where free navigation is guaranteed, said Minister Yusgiantoro.

Mr. Yusgiantoro also reported that Indonesia had included the issue in the draft Joint Statement of the ADMM-5.

Both ministers said they were regrettable that border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand have affected the process of building the ASEAN Political-Security Community as well as the close linkages and solidarity among ASEAN member states.