TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo declared that negotiations between Indonesia and Vietnam on the delimitation of the maritime boundaries of both countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZ) had reached a conclusion. The 12-year-long talks were completed by applying the 1982 United Nations Convention of Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“After 12 years of intensive negotiations, Indonesia and Vietnam can finally conclude the EEZ boundaries of the two countries based on the 1982 UNCLOS,” said Jokowi at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, hoped that this resolution would have a positive impact on the problems in the South China Sea. In his speech at Bogor Palace, Nguyen expressed support for ASEAN to guarantee that the South China Sea will become a sea of peace and stability, and encourage freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982.

“We must also give momentum to Vietnam and Indonesia's cooperation for the good of the people of the two countries. As President Jokowi said, we have agreed with the EEZ negotiations based on international law and the 1982 UNCLOS,” said Nguyen.

The South China Sea is a strategic area bordering Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and China. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that there are overlapping jurisdictions in several parts between claimant states (Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and China) which has triggered a high potential for conflict to date.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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