Settling of longstanding bilateral issues shows 'strength and maturity' of Singapore-Indonesia relations: PM Lee

THE conclusion of 3 longstanding bilateral issues between Singapore and Indonesia demonstrates the "strength and maturity" of the relations between the 2 countries, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (Jan 25).

PM Lee, who was on the resort island of Bintan for a Leaders' Retreat with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, made the comments at a press conference after witnessing the signing of a "balanced set of agreements" that sees bilateral relations take "a major step forward".

These agreements are to realign the boundary between the Jakarta Flight Information Region (FIR) and the Singapore FIR; a joint statement between the 2 countries' defence ministers on the 2007 Defence Cooperation Agreement and the Military Training Area Implementing Arrangement; and a treaty for the extradition of fugitives.

Both PM Lee and President Widodo also witnessed an exchange of letters that undertake to bring these agreements into force simultaneously.

The FIR Agreement will ensure that air traffic control services are provided safely, while allowing Changi Airport to "operate efficiently, safely and fully" and grow as an international air hub in the long term, said PM Lee at a separate session with the Singapore media on Tuesday.

He added that the FIR Agreement realigns the FIR boundaries to be "generally in accordance" with Indonesia's territorial boundaries.

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According to a statement from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia will delegate to Singapore the provision of air navigation services in portions of the airspace within the realigned Jakarta FIR.

This agreement will remain in force for 25 years and shall be extended by mutual consent if both parties find it beneficial to do so.

Meanwhile, the Defence Cooperation Agreement will strengthen the cooperation between the 2 countries' armed forces and advance defence relations.

As for the extradition treaty, it will "enhance cooperation in combatting crime and send a clear positive signal to investors", he added. Singapore and Indonesia will grant extradition for a comprehensive list of offences covered by the treaty, in accordance with the laws of both countries and subject to the requisite safeguards and provisions in the treaty.

"These 3 agreements take into account both parties' interests, represent a good balance of benefits, are durable agreements for the long haul that will last for at least a generation, and create a solid foundation to move bilateral relations forward with confidence and trust," said PM Lee at the press conference.

The resumption of cross-border travel between Singapore and Indonesia was among the other topics raised during PM Lee's meeting with President Widodo. Indonesia on Monday launched a quarantine-free travel bubble for fully vaccinated travellers from Singapore to Batam and Bintan, and PM Lee said both sides are in talks to how to have a similar arrangement for travellers from those 2 islands to enter Singapore.

The 2 leaders agreed to continue discussions to expand air and sea travel to more destinations in Indonesia, said PM Lee.

"We have to take into account the Covid-19 situation, in particular the outbreak of the Omicron variant. We will do so at a pace that both sides are comfortable with, taking into account our respective public health situations," he said.

On bilateral cooperation, PM Lee noted that Singapore has consistently been Indonesia's top foreign investor since 2014, with investments growing despite the pandemic.

At the last Leaders' Retreat held in Singapore in 2019, the 2 countries signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty that has since entered into force, which "will build investor confidence and contribute to economic and jobs growth".

And the Kendal Industrial Park, which PM Lee and President Widodo jointly opened at their retreat in 2016, "is doing well" today, having attracted US$1.6 billion in investments and will create "many thousands" of jobs.

The finance ministries and central banks of Singapore and Indonesia are also strengthening institutional linkages to deepen financial cooperation, said PM Lee.

"Singapore and Indonesia are also exploring new areas of collaboration such as sustainability, the green economy, digital economy, and human capital development," he said. "We have also formalised cooperation on green and circular economy development, energy cooperation, and exchanges between our students and educators.

The latest Retreat - the fifth time that PM Lee and President Widodo have met in this manner - shows that the bilateral relationship is "in excellent order", said PM Lee.

"Our 2 countries are able to work together under challenging circumstances, and resolve longstanding issues in an open and constructive manner. I am confident that we will build on these strong foundations and develop new areas of collaborations to benefit future generations."

PM Lee will meet with President Widodo at least once more this year, after the Indonesian leader invisted Singapore to the annual G20 Summit to be held in Bali in late October.

"We are very honoured that Indonesia has invited us. We have been attending quite a number of G-20 summits in the past and we are very happy to be able to attend it again this year," said PM Lee. "We will do our best to contribute to the discussions and to help Indonesia's chairmanship be a successful one."