Indonesia, Vietnam Signed MoU on Maritime Security

TheIndonesia.co - The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and the Vietnam Maritime Security Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of security and safety at sea.

The agreement was signed by the Head of the Maritime Security Agency, Vice Admiral TNI Aan Kurnia in Jakarta, and the Commander of the Vietnam/ Vietnam Coast Guard Marine Security Agency Major General Le Quang Dao in his country, Tuesday, December 28, 2021.

Aan, as quoted by Antara from his written statement received in Jakarta, Tuesday, said that the memorandum of understanding will strengthen the partnership that has existed between the two countries. "Hopefully with this MoU bilateral cooperation between the two agencies (institutions, ed.) can continue to improve in maintaining maritime security and safety in the region," said Aan after signing the cooperation document.

He conveyed that six priority areas of cooperation are the increasing maritime security and safety capacity, holding talks between coast guards from the two countries, and exchanging information and communication. Other priority areas are search and rescue operations and crime prevention at sea, port visits, and law enforcement including the elimination of illegal fishing activities.

Later, the capacity building of Bakamla personnel of the two countries will be carried out through joint training, training, education, workshops, and seminars. The Chief of Bakamla said that before the MoU was signed by the two countries, the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency and Vietnam's Maritime Security Agency had established cooperation in various fields.

"Many activities are carried out by Bakamla, which also invites Vietnam Coast Guard personnel to the Capacity Building for Hacgam program in Semarang, Maritime Security Desk Exercise (MSDE), and the Joint Commanders Coast Guard Meeting which is a meeting of Coast Guard commanders in the Southeast Asian region," said Aan Kurnia.

In the signing ceremony of the MoU document which took place virtually from each respective country, the Chief of Bakamla was accompanied by several officials from the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency. The event was also witnessed by the Charge d'Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy Nguyen Ngoc Vinh and Vietnam's Defense Attache to Indonesia Senior Colonel Do Xuan Quy.