Vietnam Coast Guard holds bilateral exchanges with Indonesia and Cambodia

Earlier, the VCG and the Bakamla signed a letter of intent on stepping up cooperation between the two sides. 

This comes following the VCG and the Bakamla signing a letter of intent regarding ramping up co-operation between the two sides. 

Last year saw the Coast Guard commanders of the two countries sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding collaboration between the two agencies via a webinar. The VCG and the Bakamla have since regularly maintained the exchange of information on incidents arising at sea, such as illegal exploitation of seafood, piracy, and rescue operations. 

In line with this, the VCG has been maintaining an effective working channel with the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam. The two countries’ coast guard forces have promptly shared information relating to the situation at sea, as well as working to promote further bilateral co-operation.

Both sides consented to continue to realising activities in accordance with the signed MoU, including organising a high-level meeting between the VCG and the Bakamla as part of efforts to reach a consensus on upcoming joint activities.   

During the course of the working session with the Cambodia National Committee for Maritime Security, the two sides agreed to continue implementing the signed Protocol on their hotline communication mechanism. This in addition to sharing information on security and safety in their bordering waters, fishing activities in historic waters, and incidents arising at sea for timely handling.

According to the terms of the MoU on co-operation signed at their first meeting, the VCG and the Cambodia National Committee for Maritime Security will alternately hold annual bilateral meetings to review the results recorded over the previous year. In addition, they will discuss plans and orientations for further collaboration over the subsequent year, whilst the two sides also signed the protocol on a hotline communication mechanism.

With regard to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the VCG sent a letter to the Cambodian side, informing them that Vietnamese authorities and law enforcement forces at sea have stepped up patrols, inspection, and control of the sea as a way of promptly detecting and handling violations related to illegal fishing.