Indonesia’s parliament is poised to ratify a significant agreement with Vietnam concerning the demarcation of their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the contentious South China Sea. This decision is expected to be formalized next week, with an official ratification planned for either the same week or the following one. The agreement, which was reached in 2022 after extensive negotiations lasting over a decade, provides the coordinates for the EEZs of both nations.
Nico Siahaan, a lawmaker involved in the parliamentary commission overseeing the agreement, emphasized that this ratification reflects a strategic move to mitigate issues related to Vietnamese fishermen encroaching into Indonesian waters—an ongoing source of tension between the two countries. Indonesian international law expert Hikmahanto Juwana, consulted by parliament, noted that the agreement symbolizes a rejection of China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea. Despite China’s assertion of sovereignty over nearly the entire region, including areas overlapping with the EEZs of several Southeast Asian nations, an international tribunal in 2016 concluded that these claims lacked any legal foundation. However, China has not acknowledged this ruling and continues to operate in what it views as its territory.
Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Arif Havas Oegroseno, remarked that the agreement will establish clear legal boundaries for Indonesian fishermen, enabling more defined operational protocols for activities such as fishing and oil drilling. He pointed out that proper delineation of sea borders is essential for an archipelagic state like Indonesia, which has many maritime neighbors.
Historically, Indonesia has positioned itself as a non-claimant state in the South China Sea, asserting that it does not have overlapping jurisdiction with China. However, the country’s recent signing of a maritime deal with China has sparked controversy. Analysts interpreted this move as a potential shift in Jakarta’s long-standing policy, which has always maintained a neutral stance regarding territorial claims in the region.
As Indonesia and Vietnam prepare to move forward with this ratification, the anticipated agreement represents not only a bilateral understanding but also a collective stance against the broader backdrop of regional tensions influenced by China’s expanding maritime claims. By solidifying its EEZ boundaries with Vietnam, Indonesia aims to foster stability and clarity in its maritime relations, enhancing its capacity to manage resources and enforce maritime law effectively.
