Vietnamese NA Chairman’s Speech Makes Front Pages on Indonesian Newspapers

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Jakarta, Indonesian media heavily reported on the speech of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue at the a policy dialogue themed “The Vietnam - Indonesia Steadfast Strategic Partnership: Striving for A Dynamic and Inclusive Asia and Pacific Region of Peace, Cooperation, and Development.”

Hue delivered the speech at the event held by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) in Jakarta on August 5 as part of his official visit to the archipelago nation.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the external policy forum. Photo: VNA

In its article, Republik Merdeka (Independent Republic), an online media platform, reported that the Vietnamese NA Chairman praised long-standing relations with Indonesia and encouraged cross-sectoral cooperation for the 21st century.

He held that in the context of geographical proximity and close historical relations, the two countries should continue to strive for common aspirations to create peace and stability in the region, especially in the 21st century, which is considered an important era for the Indo-Pacific region.

According to Republik Merdeka, Hue stressed the importance of creating security and prosperity for all countries in the world, which is in line with Indonesia's ideology of continuing to seek peaceful solutions.

For this reason, in an effort to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries, Hue encouraged cooperation in various fields between Vietnam and Indonesia, such as connectivity in terms of politics, security, economic trade, culture, social affairs and exchanges between their people.

“Cross-sectoral cooperation is very important for this region, where the security and prosperity of the Indo-Asia Pacific was born. The two countries must unite to achieve common goals in this era," he went on.

Republik Merdeka also cited Hue as emphasizing that the two countries must prioritise behavior that is in line with the principles of the United Nations and international law.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue addresses the policy dialogue in Jakarta on August 5. Photo: VNA

According to the top legislator, the 10 principles of the 1955 Bandung Conference, such as peace, coexistence with values, and respect for sovereignty, should also be used as an important guide for the two countries in establishing cooperation and overcoming common challenges. By implementing these principles, it is hoped that Indonesia and Vietnam can further pave the way for stronger cooperation between the two countries, the newswire added.

Pikiran Rakyat (People’s Mind) and Indoraya (Great Indonesia) newspapers also reported that the NA Chairman of Vietnam highly valued the role of Indonesia as the leading ASEAN country in seeking peaceful solution and cooperation for the region, and called on ASEAN members to quickly seek peaceful solutions.

Veeramalla Anjaiah, a former senior editor of Jakarta Post, has applauded Vietnamese NA Chairman’s remarks at a recent policy dialogue in Jakarta, saying it was an excellent speech depicting long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia.

The seasoned Indonesian journalist said he appreciates Hue’s message emphasising Vietnam's commitment to peace, harmony and friendship as well as aims to maintain its independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of foreign policies, acting as a reliable friend and partner of Indonesia.

"Vietnam upholds multilateralism and fully supports peaceful settlement of disputes based on international rules," he said.

Meanwhile, Ibnu Hadi, a lecturer at the Faculty of International Relations under Indonesia’s President University, who is also a former Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, stressed that the speech by Chairman Hue is very impressive, comprehensive and visionary, as it refers to all aspects of not only the Indonesia-Vietnam relationship, but also ASEAN and its relations with its partners, and other issues.

Ibnu agreed with Hue’s statement that the people are the root of all of Vietnam’s development policies and they must be entitled to enjoy all the fruits of the development.

This is completely true because in most countries, both the government as the executive body and the parliament as the legislative body are elected by the people. Therefore, the people must be at the core of all actions of the government and parliament. And works taken by the government and the parliament must ensure that all of their decisions are in the interest of the people, he added.

Regional media outlets also have highlighted the significance of the Vietnamese NA Chairman’s official visit to Indonesia and attendance in the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-44).

In its article, Indonesia's Antara news agency wrote that the visit is very important and shows that Vietnam’s foreign policy attaches importance to bilateral relations with Indonesia and wants to contribute to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous environment in the region.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and Speaker of the People’s Representative Council of Indonesia Puan Maharani pose for a photo before their talks in Jakarta on August 4. Photo: VNA

Regarding the two countries’ relations, the news agency said the Vietnamese and Indonesian people joined hands in solidarity to fight for national independence. This was the result of intelligent leadership and friendship between Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Indonesian President Sukarno.

In a commentary posted on Asia Review, Kompasiana and Republik Merdeka, Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), said NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s visit clearly demonstrates the interest of Vietnam’s leadership in its relations with Indonesia.

The visit symbolises the spirit of solidarity and trust between the leaders of the two countries, who are willing to work towards deeper cooperation for the sake of the people as well as peace and stability within Southeast Asia. It will enhance cooperation between the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Indonesia.

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