The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) and the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime law enforcement cooperation during their meeting in Hanoi on August 29, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

The document aims to promote bilateral cooperation in maritime security and safety to maintain regional peace and stability on the basis of international law and to benefit both sides, considered a new start of their close and comprehensive cooperation, the State-run news agency commented.

The MoU covers such issues as the exchange of information about smuggling and illegal immigration, the prevention and suppression of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, search and rescue at sea, along with mutual visits by vessels.

It also clarifies each side’s responsibility and power during its implementation.

VCG Commander Major General Le Quang Dao was quoted by the news agency as saying that the signing comes as a result of both sides’ relentless efforts and determination in negotiations. It provides a solid stepping stone for bilateral cooperation to develop more extensively and intensively, especially in maritime law enforcement.

Besides, Thailand succeeded in persuading the European Commission (EC) to remove the “yellow card” warning over IUU fishing for its fisheries sector in 2019. Given this, the MoU signing with the Thai-MECC also reflects Vietnam’s willingness to learn from Thailand’s experience to address the same problem, the General added.

Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Deputy Director of the Thai-MECC, was also quoted by the news agency as saying that the VCG is a trustworthy partner of the Thai-MECC and also an important Southeast Asian partner of Thailand in ensuring maritime security and safety.

He expressed his belief that under the MoU, the two sides will carry out many fruitful and substantive cooperation activities in the future.