By Prashanth Parameswaran
The two countries are looking to establish a new high-level bilateral maritime forum.
On March 23, visiting Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe agreed to set up a new high-level bilateral maritime forum. The initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to strengthen their overall strategic partnership as well as to deepen the defense side of that relationship, as I have noted previously.
While the joint statement signed by Jokowi and Abe to strengthen their strategic partnership, seen by The Diplomat, consisted of five areas, the first was dedicated specifically to maritime cooperation. The statement notes that both Jokowi and Abe, as leaders of maritime countries, confirm that “free, open and stable seas are essential for peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the international community.” The two countries will establish a Japan-Indonesia Maritime Forum to help realize this goal.
“They concurred in establishing Japan-Indonesia Maritime Forum as soon as possible in order to further strengthen and accelerate maritime cooperation inter alia in maritime safety and security, promotion of maritime industries, as one of the important pillars towards enhancing bilateral cooperative relationship,” the statement read.
Speaking after the summit, Jokowi said that the forum would be geared towards enhancing Indonesia’s coast guard and infrastructure capabilities.
“Japan and Indonesia agree to launch the forum in order to enhance competence of coast guard capabilities and infrastructure, as well as the marine industry,” Jokowi said.
Read the full story at The Diplomat