Vietnam, Indonesia aspire to further enhance strategic partnership

On September 11, President Tran Dai Quang hosted an official welcome ceremony in Hanoi for his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo, currently on a State visit to Vietnam over September 11-12.

Immediately after the ceremony, the two presidents held talks at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, during which they exchanged views on the relationship between the two countries, noting that the Asia-Pacific region and ASEAN as well are facing profound changes, thereby presenting both opportunities and challenges.

The two sides agreed to increase high-level delegation exchange at all levels through the Government, the National Assembly channels, and people-to-people exchange, continue to effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and adopt a consistent stance on regional and international issues of shared concern.

President Tran Dai Quang and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo inspect the guard of hnour.

They highly appreciated the signing of the Action Plan for the implementation of the strategic partnership for the period 2019 -2023, and consented to assign relevant ministries to realize what they have put forth towards the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership by 2023.

The two State leaders held that there is plenty of room for both sides to fully tap their potential and strengths in order to lift two way trade turnover to US$10 billion toward a trade balance, and through a score of measures, including reducing barriers and fully implementing bilateral and multilateral commitments.

Indonesia noted Vietnam's proposal on removing regulations on the localization rate for Vietnam's key export items such as mobile phones and television while offering the best possible conditions for agro- forestry- fishery products, steel, processing products, manufacturing, construction materials, electrical machinery and equipment to gain access to the Indonesian market.

They applauded the results of cooperation in national defence and security in recent times, especially the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation between defense officials and related activities signed in 2010, and the signing of

the Declaration on Joint Vision on Defence Cooperation for the 2017-2022 period.

They also agreed to augment cooperation on naval and air forces, defence industry, and crime prevention.

Both sides concurred to increase negotiations on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two countries and assign the technical work group (TWG) to accelerate the negotiation process in order to reach an agreement soon based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They asserted that the issue of arrested fishermen and fishing vessels should be dealt with in an humanitarian spirit and in line with the two countries’ friendship and international law.

The leaders welcomed joint work to address illegal fishing, including the signing of a joint communique on voluntarily joining international cooperation in preventing illegal, unreported and undocumented fishing, and agreed to exert more efforts to soon reach a Code of Conduct at sea and sign a memorandum of understanding on marine and fishing cooperation.

The duo also discussed measures to enhance links in the areas of energy, agriculture, culture, tourism, and in marine-based economy, marine sciences and environment, as well as building a consultation mechanism on marine issues.

The two Presidents witness the signing of a number of cooperation documents.

They pledged to effectively carry out the agreement in farm produce and consider establishing joint ventures in aquaculture, wood processing and wooden furniture export, expanding tourism cooperation, especially sea and island tourism and soon launching the Hanoi – Jakarta direct flights.

Regarding regional and global issues of mutual concern, the pair said both sides need to maintain consultation on issues regarding regional security and strategy, coordinate to build a united ASEAN, successfully carry out the ASEAN Vision 2025, and strengthen ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture and in resolving strategic issues in the region.

The two sides vowed to work closely together at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC and ASEM.

They reiterated their consistent stances on the East Sea issue, including backing the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, refraining from the use of force or threat to use force, fully respecting diplomatic and legal processes. They underscored the importance of non-militarisation, refraining from activities that could cause or escalate tension, complying with principles of international law and widely-recognized standards.

The two leaders reaffirmed their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and acceleration of negotiations on a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Following the talks, they witnessed the signing of the Vietnam-Indonesia action programme on realising the bilateral strategic partnership for the 2019-2023 period, and the joint communique on voluntarily joining international cooperation in preventing illegal, unreported and undocumented fishing (IUU) fishing and promoting sustainable fishery management between the two nations.

The same day, President Tran Dai Quang and his first lady hosted a banquet in honour of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife.

In his remarks at the event, Quang highlighted the two countries’ fruitful friendship over recent years, as demonstrated by a significant turning point in 2013, which witnessed the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two leaders showed their hope that both nations will make every effort to propel relations forward in a multitude of aspects in future.