Foreign Minister Indonesia, Marty Natalegawa has attended World Public-Private Counter Piracy Conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Similarly, a press statement released Tuesday, April 19, 2011.
The conference, themed "Global Challenge, Regional Response: Forging a Common Approach to Maritime Piracy" was held Monday, April 18, 2011. In between conferences, Marty Natalegawa met Foreign Minister of Somalia, Abdullahi Omar Arsharq, discussing the fate of 20 crew of the Holy Light Ship, which was hijacked and held hostage by Somali pirates.
Somali Foreign Minister expressed his government's commitment to help Indonesia's efforts to free the vessel and the owner of ship and Indonesia citizen.
At the conference, Foreign Minister of Indonesia declared the practice of piracy is a universal crime that needs handling of comprehensive, inclusive and integrated, at the national, regional and global. Indonesia Foreign minister stressed three things, related to regional cooperation and international efforts in combating piracy.
First, the need to attempt the identification and handling of the root problem of piracy. In the case of piracy in Somalia, for example, the root of the problem can not be separated from the internal situation in Somalia itself.
Second, the handling of the problem of piracy should be based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this regard need to be strengthened international cooperation on law enforcement against piracy crimes under international law framework.
Third, States coast (littoral states) in areas prone to piracy and piracy need to be on patrol in a coordinated manner to ensure navigation safety and maritime security. These efforts should be supported by other countries concerned.
In addition, Minister-President also expressed the experience and the success of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as the littoral states in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore Straits to combat piracy in the strategic strait, through coordinated patrols.