MFA emphasizes the significance of the FIR pact for aviation safety and cooperation.
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expressed its approval of Indonesia’s ratification of the Agreement on the Realignment of the Boundary between the Jakarta Flight Information Region (FIR) and Singapore’s FIR on Thursday (Sept 8), responding to media inquiries.
The FIR agreement, signed in January during the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in Bintan, delegates the responsibility for providing air navigation services in parts of the realigned Jakarta FIR to Singapore. This agreement will remain effective for 25 years and may be extended by mutual consent if deemed beneficial by both parties.
A country’s FIR is a civil aviation boundary managed by its air traffic service, which does not necessarily align with territorial borders.
Following the leaders’ retreat, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that the FIR agreement would ensure safe air traffic control services while enabling Changi Airport to expand as a leading international air hub. He noted that the FIR boundaries would be realigned “generally in accordance” with Indonesia’s territorial boundaries.
Transport Minister S. Iswaran also mentioned in Parliament in February that the FIR Agreement would bolster the growth and competitiveness of Singapore’s air hub and aviation sectors. He remarked that the agreement “decisively resolves” a longstanding bilateral issue.
Previously, Indonesia had expressed its intention to assume control of the FIR above the Riau Islands, which Singapore has managed since 1946 under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Singapore maintained that the FIR issue pertained to safety and efficiency in commercial air traffic rather than sovereignty.
TWO REMAINING AGREEMENTS TO BE RATIFIED
In addition to the FIR agreement, two other treaties—relating to extradition and defense cooperation—were also signed at the leaders’ retreat in January. In Thursday’s statement, the MFA spokesperson indicated that the Singapore and Indonesian governments had exchanged letters committing to bring all three agreements, including the FIR pact, into force simultaneously.
“We look forward to the ratification of the remaining agreements to facilitate the concurrent implementation of all three agreements,” the MFA stated.
The Extradition Treaty will allow Singapore and Indonesia to grant extradition for a comprehensive list of offenses, in accordance with the laws of both nations. The Defense Cooperation Agreement aims to strengthen the strategic relationship between both defense establishments, enhancing cooperation and fostering closer interaction between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean mentioned in Parliament in February that the simultaneous enactment of the three agreements is crucial for minimizing misunderstandings and establishing a robust foundation for future cooperation.
