At the third meeting of the Vietnam - Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in 2018. Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong told the Vietnam News Agency ahead of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's official visit to Indonesia to co-chair the meeting, slated from July 19-21, that the visit takes place in the context of complicated developments in the international and regional situation, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which have caused negative impacts on global political and economic relations.

The visit reflects the high determination of the two sides in maintaining the exchange of delegations and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, contributing to further strengthening the bilateral relations, especially after two years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

According to the diplomat, the meeting will review the implementation of the results of the 3rd meeting of the JCBC held in April 2018, and discuss directions and specific measures to continue promoting bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2023.

The visit affirms that Vietnam attaches great importance to the traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Indonesia, reflecting the country's support for Indonesia as the President of the G20 this year as well as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2023, Thong stressed.

The diplomat said Son and his Indonesian counterpart Retno L.P. Marsudi will co-chair the meeting to evaluate the overall results of cooperation in all fields from politics, diplomacy, defence, security, economy, trade, culture and social affairs, and exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two sides will carefully discuss the shortcomings and set forth directions and solutions to promote Vietnam-Indonesia collaboration in the coming time, both bilaterally as well as within the framework of regional and international cooperation mechanisms.

Growing bilateral relations

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia (right) at an interview with Vietnam News Agency resident correspondent in Jakarta. Photo: VNA

The ambassador highlighted the fruitful development of bilateral relations in recent times which has been further strengthened with meetings between senior leaders of the two countries and close coordination at international and regional forums.

Two-way trade surged from $5.6 billion in 2014 to over $11 billion in 2021, exceeding the target of $10 billion set in the 2019-2023 action plan.

Visits and cooperation activities between ministries and agencies of the two nations have been maintained, including Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi's working visit to Vietnam in December 2019, and Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto's official visit in May this year. The two countries' Coast Guards also signed a MoU on cooperation in December 2021.

In addition, the two countries have coordinated in organizing many activities such as training programs on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), cybercrime, human trafficking and maritime security, drug prevention and control, counter-terrorism and mechanisms in ASEAN.

Direct flights between Hanoi and Bali, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Bali have helped promote tourism and business activities between the two sides, he said, adding that they will be resumed in the near future.

Thong also said that during the pandemic, relevant agencies of the countries coordinated together to safely repatriate more than 1,000 Vietnamese citizens from Indonesia.

Last month, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in the framework of the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (SAIFMM) in New Delhi, according to Government News.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) meets Indonesian FM Retno Marsudi. Photo: VNA

The officials discussed measures to boost bilateral ties in the post-Covid-19 period. They agreed to coordinate closely to prepare for high-level visits and the 4th meeting of the Vietnam-Indonesia joint cooperation commission.

The two sides reached consensus on pushing cooperation between the two countries’ ministries, agencies and sectors, especially in economy-trade, so as to bring about practical benefits for people and businesses of both countries

The two sides also saw eye to eye on the approach to and settlement of regional and international issues on the basis of respect for international law for the common goal of peace, stability, cooperation and development./.

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