MFA PRESS STATEMENT: REGIONAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT ON COMBATING PIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY AGAINST SHIPS IN ASIA

Singapore, Japan, Laos and Cambodia are the first countries to sign the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). On behalf of their governments, Acting Foreign Minister Raymond Lim of Singapore, Senior Vice Foreign Minister Ichiro Aisawa of Japan, Ambassador Done Somvorachit of the Lao PDR and Ambassador Kem Mongkol of Cambodia signed the ReCAAP Agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

ReCAAP is a Japanese initiative for anti-piracy cooperation amongst the ASEAN countries, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The ReCAAP Agreement was concluded in Tokyo in November 2004. A key pillar of the ReCAAP Agreement is the Information Sharing Centre (ISC), which will be an international organisation located in Singapore. The ISC will facilitate communication and information exchanges between the member countries, as well as improve the quality of statistics and reports on piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region. The ISC will be run by an Executive Director with a staff of 10-12 from member countries. The ReCAAP Agreement also seeks to enhance the capabilities of member countries to combat piracy.

Singapore, Japan and Laos also deposited their instruments of ratification at the depositary today. As host of the ISC, Singapore is also the depositary of the Agreement. The Agreement has been open for signature at the depositary since 28 February 2005. The ReCAAP Agreement will enter into force 90 days after the 10th country submits its instrument of ratification to the depositary.

. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
28 APRIL 2005