MFA Press Release: Transcript Of The Joint Press Conference By Minister For Foreign Affairs George Yeo And Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa After The Signing And Exchange Of Instruments Of Ratification For The Treaty Between The Republic Of In

Minister George Yeo: This is a happy occasion, a celebration of the coming into force of an important border agreement between Indonesia and Singapore in the western part of the Straits. Negotiations started in 2005, there were six meetings in all and in March 2009, I went down to Jakarta to sign the agreement with Pak Hassan. So today, after the instruments have been ratified we have the formal exchange coming into force and submission to the UN. There is one person missing here, which is S Tiwari who was our chief negotiator - Pak Havas' counterpart. He died recently, suddenly from a brain aneurysm. We remember him. We thank him for all that he has done. I am sure that he is here in spirit to celebrate with us.

Pak Marty is also here for a bilateral visit and we reviewed bilateral relations just now. They are in very good repair. The two Leaders had a retreat here recently at the Botanic Gardens just across the road and set-up a number of working groups which are now proceeding at pace. Pak Marty and I agreed that we should meet informally every six months just to review progress and make sure that the whole process is chugging along nicely in time for the next meeting of the Leaders.

We also discussed ASEAN, the importance of strengthening ASEAN, of building the architecture with wisdom so that our interests are taken into account and the larger interest of the region is taken into account. Next year, Indonesia will be in the chair of ASEAN and I pledged to Pak Marty, Singapore's full support for Indonesia's chairmanship.

Proceeding from the demarcation of our western border, we also agreed to begin the process of demarcating that stretch of our border between Changi and Batam. There is one more stretch which is between Pedra Branca and Bintan but that would have to be done later after we have demarcated that part of the sea with Malaysia. So for the next stage, we will concentrate on the sea between Changi and Batam. I am sure the spirit which guided the negotiations of the western border will similarly guide us in the demarcation of that stretch. With that, I pass the microphone over to you, Pak Marty.

Minister Marty Natalegawa: Thank you very much, Mr Yeo. I am very pleased and very happy to be back in Singapore and thank you for sending your usual customary hospitality to all of us, not only myself but members of my delegation. Above all, Minister, Pak George, I'd like to echo the sentiment that you had expressed in warmly welcoming and being happy with the instruments of ratification that we had just now signed and exchanged for the Treaty between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Singapore relating to the limitation of territorial waters of the countries of the western part of the Straits of Singapore. I agree with you fully that this is a very important document, a very important process that we had just concluded and at the same time, (I am) very happy to acknowledge the fact that we have now undertaken to begin the process of negotiations on the eastern part of our waters vis-à-vis the waters between Batam and Changi. As you have said Minister, I am sure the same kind of spirit of cooperation that had imbued our previous negotiations, will also reflect the negotiations that we are to have for that segment of our waters.

I'd, like Pak George, Minister, also (like to) pay tribute to our dear colleague Mr S Tiwari, head of your delegation, on behalf of not only myself, but on behalf of all my colleagues and of course, on behalf of the Government of Indonesia because we acknowledge and we appreciate the fact that his, Mr Tiwari's leadership, foresight and tremendous contribution has made possible the document that we had just signed just now. Our condolences of course to his family, and best wishes as well to the rest of the Singapore delegation who had made possible the signing of the ratification agreement today.

Pak George, as you had said, we had also had a good discussion on bilateral issues. Our Leaders, last May, when they met in a retreat here in Singapore, tasked for ourselves to promote the relations in a good way. I think our discussions throughout this afternoon and subsequent(ly) I'm sure, will see our two sides adding further momentum to that effort to make steady progress, good progress in our bilateral relations.

Above all Minister George, I note that our cooperation is important not only for bilateral purposes but also within the context of ASEAN. I cannot overemphasise how the value that we attach to the various exchanges Singapore and Indonesia have had over recent years, over many years on matters to do with ASEAN and especially the recent discourse on many issues relating to ASEAN, including the ASEAN community building as well as the ASEAN regional architectural building discussions. I find in Minister George a person whom I can rely on to share wise thoughts, and with lots of wisdom talk through ideas and concepts in our discussion today to continue that relations, Pak George, of having that kind of very productive discussion. Next year Indonesia will be chairing ASEAN for the year 2011. Indonesia looks very much to working extremely closely with Singapore in moving forward our common agenda in promoting ASEAN collaborations. Two practical issues that Minister George has mentioned that I also want to also emphasise; we have agreed to have informal six monthly discussions between our two sides to take stock of where we are in our bilateral efforts, that is now agreed to be held every six months or so. And the second point of course the matter about (beginning) negotiations on the eastern side, the Changi and Batam parts of our waters. Thank you once again, Minister George, Pak George for the opportunity that you accorded us to be here in Singapore, for your hospitality. I know that you are also a frequent visitor to Indonesia. This particular visit is a very brief one, Pak George, because I will be leaving for Jakarta later on tonight. But I think this is something that both of us agreed in our previous conversation that we should make it more practical and more pragmatic that we should be able to meet whenever situation requires us to meet so that we can always have an opportunity to engage and to have good communication between our two sides. And I think connectivity, not only in terms of air, transport and all that between Indonesia and Singapore, is well and good but above all, our connectivity in terms of our region and our outlook I think is extremely close. I mentioned to the Minister as well when I had the honour of paying courtesy call on the Prime Minister earlier today that Indonesia and Singapore share a similar geopolitical outlook and on matters to do with the region, and we are very keen to continue that bit of consultation between our two sides. Thank you, Sir.

Minister George Yeo: Pak Marty, I so have to thank you and members of your delegation for agreeing to this meeting during Ramadan. Thank you for making this special accommodation. I reported to Pak Marty about my recent visit to Batam to open a Consulate there...

Minister Marty Natalegawa: That's right.

Minister George Yeo: My joy in seeing how much more integrated we are now with KEPRI. And if there are questions for either Pak Marty or myself, we'll be happy to answer them.

Question: Minister, what does this treaty or agreement mean to the usage of the waterways by vessels, as far as you know the sea lanes of communication for both sides.

Minister George Yeo: It provides more clarity, but in practical terms, there is already a traffic separation. The Straits of Singapore is the busiest waterway in the world and bilateral cooperation in the practical way has been excellent, which is why even though we have not had the legal demarcation all these years, life went on beautifully. Life will go on now, even more beautifully, with this Treaty.

Question: Minister was there any discussion at all on the defence cooperation agreement or the extradition treaty?

Minister George Yeo: No, we did not discuss this.

Question: May I ask another question? Minister, you mentioned earlier, and Pak Marty also, about the Leaders' retreat and at that retreat I think several working groups were set up. One of them is on counter-terrorism which was announced by PM Lee that day. Could we get an update on, you know, how is the work in progress as far as counter-terrorism, you know, dealing with this threat by the two countries in... as after the set-up of the group?

Minister George Yeo: Cooperation is very good. Prof Jaya (SM Jayakumar) went down to Jakarta recently and had very good meetings. There is a considerable trust and mutual understandings between the two sides, and it's because of this foundation of trust that we have been able to act together and mount security operations, very often in great success. I don't know whether Pak Marty...

Minister Marty Natalegawa: Yes, I'd like to add to that, if I may. Pak George, I think I agree with your description of the happy state of collaboration on counter-terrorism issues. The fact that the additional working group on counter-terrorism was set up following President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyuno's visit to Singapore last May, I think in a way codify what was already ongoing, but not only codify, but also it adds a more formal framework to the collaboration, to the co-operation. Likewise, similarly, the instrument of ratification which we have just now exchanged vis-à-vis the Straits of Singapore, the western part demarcation, I think in a way confirms and codifies what is already a pre-existing positive collaboration between our two sides on matters of maritime security and safety of navigation. All in all, I think it was all positives.

Question: Ministers, how has the current situation between Malaysia and Indonesia affected the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore at all?

Dr Marty Natalegawa: Nothing. None whatsoever. It hasn't had any impact whatsoever. Even with the so-called situation with Malaysia, I think both sides are keen to ensure that whatever issues that we have will be dealt with through the usual diplomatic channels. I am meeting Minister Anifah next week, 6th of September, I'm seeing him. I think as fellow ASEAN member states, obviously we have our ways and means of dealing with these whatever problems and challenges that we have through the normal diplomatic channels and it has not had any impact whatsoever with the bilateral ties we have, certainly, with Singapore.

Minister George Yeo: Well, thank you very much.

Dr Marty Natalegawa: Thank you very much, Pak George.

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