Vietnam, Indonesia Seek Ways to Boost Bilateral Ties

At the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-4) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on July 20 co-chaired the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-4) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nhan dan (People) newspaper reported.

The two sides shared the view that the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia is growing effectively, especially since the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2013.

Economic and trade cooperation has grown tremendously, with two-way trade in 2021 reaching USD11.5 billion, up 40% compared to 2020 and exceeding the target of USD10 billion set by the two sides in the action programme to implement the strategic partnership for the period of 2019-2023. In the first six months of 2022, bilateral trade reached USD6.9 billion, up 24% over the same period in 2021.

Security-defence cooperation has also seen positive development. The Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation for the period 2017-2022 has been well implemented and cooperation mechanisms between the two defence ministries have been regularly maintained.

Partnership in other spheres such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, aviation, culture, education-training and tourism have been promoted, thus helping to deepen the bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The ministers agreed to increase meetings at all levels, maintain and utilise existing cooperation mechanisms, and encourage the resumption of art and people-to-people exchanges, especially in 2023 when the two nations mark the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.

The two sides also consented to strengthen defence cooperation, focusing on the implementation of the joint vision statement on defence cooperation for 2017-2022, and share information and cooperate in fighting trans-national crimes like terrorism, drug and wildlife trafficking, and high-tech crime.

To raise bilateral trade to USD15 billion by 2028, they concurred to soon organise the 8th meeting of the joint committee on commercial, scientific and technological cooperation, facilitate the operations of their businesses, and seek opportunities to expand and diversify investment, particularly in fisheries, infrastructure, renewable energy and digital transformation.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on July 20 co-chaired the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-4) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: VNA

Son suggested the two countries coordinate to cope with the risk of a global food crisis, and called on Indonesia to ease trade remedies imposed on Vietnamese exports, soon sign a memorandum of understanding on bilateral trade in rice for the next four years, and provide technical assistance and create favourable conditions for Halal products from Vietnam to enter Indonesia.

The ministers agreed to encourage airlines to increase flights and consider opening new routes linking tourist sites, while promoting mutual understanding and the exchange of culture, trade and tourism between localities.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, they highly valued coordination between the two countries at multilateral organisations and forums, contributing to strengthening solidarity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and consolidating its centrality, and maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

The two sides agreed to enhance their coordination and mutual support within ASEAN, the United Nations (UN) and other regional and international mechanisms.

They also reiterated their support for maintaining solidarity and the principles reached by ASEAN regarding the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea) issue in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

Vietnamese FM meets with Indonesian President

Also on July 20, Son paid a courtesy call to Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, according to VietnamPlus.

Widodo congratulated Vietnam on its important achievements in the Covid-19 pandemic control and regaining the momentum of rapid socio-economic development, and especially the successful hosting of the 31st SEA Games in May.

The Vietnamese diplomat thanked and conveyed to President Widodo the greetings of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior Vietnamese leaders; reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent view that it always attaches importance to and wishes to further develop the strategic partnership with Indonesia.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Photo: Government News

Vietnam also expressed confidence that Indonesia will successfully fulfil the presidency of G20, implement the "Indonesia Vision 2045" and become a developed country by the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2045.

Son noted his wish that the President would support the two sides in promoting the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels; reducing barriers and promoting trade in a more balanced direction; signing at the earliest time a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral rice cooperation for the next four years; removing obstacles and creating favourable conditions for businesses of the two countries to expand investment, especially in fields of fisheries, high technology, and digital economy; providing technical support for and facilitating the imports of Halal products of Vietnamese origin into the Indonesian market.

He also asked the Indonesian authorities to increase the frequency of flights and consider opening new routes connecting popular tourist destinations between the two countries; continue to closely coordinate to effectively deal with issues arising at sea.

Son also appreciated the cooperation relationship between the two countries at regional and international forums, and affirmed that Vietnam supports Indonesia in its role as ASEAN Chair in 2023.

Expressing his delight at the increasingly strong and extensive development of the bilateral cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia, Widodo suggested that the two sides build an action plan to develop the strategic partnership for the 2024-2028 period, moving towards the goal of USD15 billion in bilateral trade by 2028; continue to promote economic cooperation, trade and investment ties, and people-to-people exchanges./.

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