Indoneseia Tries to Mediate in South China Sea Dispute

nsnbc : Following Indonesia’s assertion of its neutrality with regard to the South China Sea in March, its Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Ade Supandi commented on the territorial disputes in the South China Sea at the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) on Wednesday. Admiral Supandi noted that Indonesia has plans to discuss efforts to help settle the disputes.

Navy_indonesia_Indonesian Navy_2016_PDFollowing the opening of the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) on Wednesday, Admiral Supandi told reporters that:

“The WPNS is a forum of the naval chiefs of staff of 27 countries to discuss matters related to maritime security. … “We hope that the discussion involving the countries would result in the formulation of a policy to settle the dispute. …In addition, we will discuss the issue of piracy at sea”.

Among the 25 countries participating in the 15th WPNS are Indonesia, China, Singapore, the United States, Australia, France, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Peru, New Zealand, and Canada. The symposium brings together representatives from 25 countries comprising 20 member states, two would-be member nations, and three observer countries.

Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar

Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar

In late March 2016 Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, deputy for government policy support of the Vice President Secretariat, affirmed the Indonesian government’s neutral policy over the simmering territorial disputes and conflicts in the South China Sea.

Admiral Supandi also noted that he would use the opportunity to meet with partners from neighboring countries to discuss Indonesia’s borders with neighboring countries and efforts to settle any potential conflicts that may arise in these areas.

Indonesia’s security imperative with regard to the South China Sea are concerned with safe and secure passage through Shipping lanes to Korea, China and not least Japan. Japan will be Indonesia’s main importer of liquefied natural gas from Indonesia’s Masela Gas Block.

Another security imperative focuses on potential conflicts with neighboring Australia. I’m mid-March the executive director of Indonesia’s Institute for Defense and Security Studies, Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, noted that the development of the Masela gas block located at the maritime border to Australia increased the risk of a proxy war, but that the development would increase Indonesia’s regional influence. Indonesia is currently cooperating with South Kore and plans to deliver 12 new submarines to its navy this year.

CH/L – nsnbc 13.04.2016

Source Article from http://nsnbc.me/2016/04/13/indoneseia-tries-to-mediate-in-south-china-sea-dispute-2/

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