Vietnam enhances cooperation with Indonesian, Cambodian law enforcement forces at sea.

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

In 2021, the Coast Guard commanders of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two agencies via a webinar. The VCG and the Bakamla have regularly maintained exchange of information on incidents arising at sea such as illegal exploitation of seafood, piracy and rescue.

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 about the situation at sea as well as promoted bilateral cooperation.

The two sides agreed to continue to implement activities in accordance with the signed MoU, including organising a high-level meeting between the VCG and the Bakamla to reach consensus on upcoming joint activities.

At 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, 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 a MoU on cooperation signed at their first meeting, the VCG and the Cambodia National Committee for Maritime Security alternately holds annual bilateral meetings to review the cooperation results in the past year and discuss plans and orientations for their cooperation in the coming year. The two sides also signed the protocol on a hotline communication mechanism.

Regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the VCG had sent a letter to the Cambodian side, informing that Vietnamese authorities and law enforcement forces at sea have stepped up patrols, inspection and control at the sea, thus promptly detect and handle violations related to illegal fishing.