The discussion would involve Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and his Thai counterpart, Prawit Wongsuwan, spokesman for the Indonesian Defense Ministry Brig. Gen. I Wayan Midhio said here on Wednesday.
Midhio said security conditions in the Malacca Strait and South China Sea very much influenced relations between the two ASEAN member states.
"Both nations have marine territorial borders which touch the Malacca Strait and South China Sea. That`s why there need to be discussion and cooperation with regard to joint security," he said.
He said three littoral states, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, launched a coordinated patrol in the Malacca Strait for the first time in July 2004 under the so-called Malsindo scheme.
But because of rampant marine crimes particularly in the Thai marine territory north of the Malacca Strait, Indonesia asked Thailand to join the three littoral states in safeguarding the world`s busiest sea lane, he said.
Thailand`s participation in the coordinated patrol once came to a standstill because of political crisis engulfing the country.
After the crisis ended the Thai government and military agreed to assist the three littoral states in safeguarding the Malacca Strait.
(T.R018/S012/HAJM/P004)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
