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SINGAPORE : Singapore and Indonesia have achieved a significant milestone in bilateral ties.
They exchanged the Instruments of Ratification for the Treaty which defines the sea boundaries of the two countries in the western part of the Strait of Singapore on Monday.
The treaty was signed in March last year in Jakarta.
Negotiations started in 2005 and there were six meetings in all.
Officials said the territorial sea boundary line agreed in the treaty is a continuation of the sea boundary line signed in May 1973.
The foreign ministers of both nations said there is still one aspect which needs to be looked into.
"We have also agreed to begin the process of demarcating that stretch of our border between Changi and Batam. There is one more stretch between Pedra Branca and Bintan, but that will be done later after we have demarcated that part of the seas with Malaysia," said Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo.
There has been much activity in the area of Singapore-Indonesia bilateral ties this year, firstly with the Retreat meeting between Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in May.
Both countries' foreign ministers said they plan to meet informally once every six months to update each other on the state of bilateral ties and also prepare for the next leaders' meeting of the two countries.
During the recent Leaders Retreat, both countries announced that several working groups have been set up to enhance bilateral cooperation. The foreign ministers said their work is progressing well.
"I note that our collaboration is important not only for bilateral purposes, but also within the process of ASEAN. And I cannot emphasise the value that we attach to the various exchanges Singapore and Indonesia has had over the years on matters to do with ASEAN," said Dr Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia's Foreign Minister.
On the work of the workgroup on counter-terrorism, Mr Yeo said: "There is considerable trust and mutual understanding between the two sides, and it is because of this foundation of trust that they are able to act together and mount security operations, very often with great success."
The Indonesian foreign minister also held talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana earlier on Monday. - CNA /ls
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