Ni Komang Erviani, Nusa Dua, Bali – Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Philippine National Defense Minister Delfin N Lorenzana are in Nusa Dua, Bali, for the third Trilateral Defense Ministers Meeting on Tuesday.

Among the key issues they will discuss is maritime security around the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. Ryamizard emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation when dealing with security challenges associated with the country's sea borders.

"This meeting is not only important but also shows the robustness of the strategic partnership and defense cooperation between the three countries," Ryamizard said at the opening ceremony of the meeting.

"I feel very optimistic with the steps taken in this trilateral cooperation, considering that since the first meeting on the sidelines of ADMM in May in Laos, we have had the foundation of the same views and thoughts," he added.

The Bali meeting is a follow up to the joint declaration on maritime security signed by the three countries on May 5. The meeting will center on the mechanism for joint sea patrols, as well as discuss efforts to prevent piracy and terrorism in regional waters.

The talks come after the abduction of three Indonesian sailors in Malaysian Sabah waters in early July, less than a month after the kidnapping of seven Indonesian ship crew members by Philippine militant groups in southern Philippines waters. The kidnapped sailors are still being held hostage by the militant groups. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/08/02/defense-bigwigs-discuss-maritime-security-in-bali.html