(VNF) - Vietnam attaches special importance to the maintenance and development of traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Indonesia, said General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

On the morning of August 23, shortly after the official reception at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a private meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The two leaders talked intimately, expressed their affection sincere feelings on history, country, people as well as Vietnam - Indonesia relations.

After the private meeting, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. During the talks, the two leaders agreed that the visit is a historically significant event which helps to strengthen trust, political relations, promote cooperation, create a new development step and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his pleasure to visit Indonesia – a beautiful, hospitable country. The Party chief congratulated the great achievements that the Government and people of Indonesia have made in the past time. He believed Indonesia would continue to be more successful in building and developing the country, constantly improving its role and status in the region and the world.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomes General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam attaches special importance to the development of traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Indonesia. The two sides said the traditional friendship between the two countries, laid down by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno and generations of leaders and peoples, now has become strategic partnership relations. He affirmed Vietnam and Indonesia would continue to be trusted friends, attached by friendship, shared values and interests.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joko Widodo informed each other of the situation in each country, focusing on the direction and policy of deepening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia; promoting in-depth, substantive and effective relations and discussing international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders expressed their joy at the development of bilateral relations over the past 60 years, especially after the two countries established the Strategic Partnership in 2013, adding that the bilateral cooperation has achieved many encouraging results, but not yet commensurate with the potentials and aspirations of both sides, especially in economics, trade and investment.

President Joko Widodo expressed his joy at the development of trade relations between the two countries in recent years. The two leaders are confident that they will soon reach the target of USD 10 billion in bilateral trade.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the welcoming ceremony

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joko Widodo said that the two countries have lots of potential and conditions to promote cooperation in many fields. President Joko Widodo emphasized three areas of cooperation: maritime, fishing; trade, investment; regional and international issues. The two leaders exchanged and agreed on directions and measures to promote comprehensively strategic partnership between the two countries in the future for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Regarding to cooperaraion in the field of national defense and security, the two sides pledged to work closely together on counterterrorism, cybercrime and high-tech crime, human trafficking, narcotics and transnational crime; actively accelerate and conclude the negotiation on the delimitation of exclusive economic zones, proceeding to a comprehensive solution, including handling issues related to fishing ships and fishermen in the spirit of humanity, in line with the strategic partnership, respect for the independence and sovereignty of each country.

At the talks, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joko Widodo exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea, peacefully resolving disputes, Adhere to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS); Fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and soon reach the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

The two sides pledged to continue coordinating the resolution of common issues, including counterterrorism, piracy, arms race, proliferation of nuclear weapons; close cooperation at international and regional fora, especially in ASEAN, ASEM, APEC, FEALAC and the United Nations.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo held talks with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

The two leaders agreed that in the past 50 years of development, ASEAN has achieved many important achievements, especially the establishment of the ASEAN Community; af firmingthat Vietnam and Indonesia will continue to work closely with each other and with other member countries to realize the goals of the Community.

President Joko Widodo applauded and highly appreciated Vietnam's support for Indonesia's candidature for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for 2019-2020; expressing his support for Vietnam's candidature for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council 2020-2021. He affirmed that Indonesia would continue to support and cooperate closely with Vietnam in APEC 2017.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sincerely thanked the warm welcome and sincerity that the President, the Government and the people of Indonesia gave to him and the high delegation of Vietnam. He sincerely invite President Joko Widodo to visit Vietnam in the coming time and President Joko Widodo happily accepted./.

Tran Ngoc