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Add to Preferred SourcesOn Friday the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop MP, and Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Retno Marsudi, announced the signing of a Maritime Cooperation Plan of Action between the two countries. The Plan implements the Joint Declaration on Maritime Cooperation signed in February 2017.
The Maritime Cooperation Plan of Action sets an ambitious agenda to strengthen and expand maritime engagement between Australia and Indonesia. It also delivers on the commitment made by Prime Minister Turnbull and President Widodo during the President’s visit to Australia last year to boost maritime cooperation.
The Plan encompasses 85 separate activities involving 17 Australian and 20 Indonesian agencies. It will drive increased bilateral cooperation across the following priorities: economic development, maritime security, combatting illegal fishing, maritime safety, search and rescue, marine science collaboration, sustainable management of marine resources, maritime cultural heritage and working together in regional and multilateral fora.
Australia and Indonesia are natural maritime partners sharing one of the longest maritime boundaries in the world. They have broad and complementary maritime security and economic interests. The announcement of this Plan reflects the high priority both Australia and Indonesia place on maritime issues and their shared commitment to working together in response to the challenges faced in the maritime domain.
Australia also announced a new, four-year bilateral Maritime Capacity Building Initiative in Indonesia to support the implementation of the Plan. The initiative will see Australia allocate increased resources to help strengthen Indonesian maritime capabilities.
Original source: DFAT
Published on 16 March 2018