It is time to consider upgrading bilateral relations to a new level.

At a joint press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo,President Vo Van Thuong emphasized the need for the two countries to consider upgrading relations to a new level.

Việt Nam-Indonesia: Đã đến lúc xem xét nâng cấp quan hệ hai nước lên tầm cao mới

President Vo Van Thuong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a press conference to announce the results of the talks between the two leaders to the press of the two countries. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

This morning, after the official welcoming ceremony, talks and witnessing the signing of cooperation documents, President Vo Van Thuong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a press conference, announcing the results of the talks between the two leaders to the press of the two countries.

At the press conference, President Vo Van Thuong said that President Joko Widodo is the first foreign leader to visit Vietnam in 2024, bringing to the country and people of Vietnam friendship, sincerity, and warmth. This visit will create new vitality for the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia in the coming time.

The Vietnamese leader said that he and President Joko Widodo had a very successful meeting, during which the two sides had an open and sincere exchange about the situation in each country, bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two leaders were pleased to see that the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership is growing stronger and deeper in all areas. Political trust between the two countries has increased through regular high-level exchanges and contacts; defense and security cooperation has developed positively; trade cooperation is a highlight of the bilateral relationship. In ASEAN, Indonesia is Vietnam's third largest trade partner and Vietnam is Indonesia's fourth largest trade partner; cooperation in the fields of education and training, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, culture and sports has all made positive progress.

The two leaders had a very successful meeting, with open and sincere discussions on the situation in each country, bilateral relations, and regional and international issues of mutual concern. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

President Vo Van Thuong and President Joko Widodo appreciated the two countries for signing a memorandum of understanding on fisheries cooperation and information technology and communications cooperation on this occasion. Local connection activities and people-to-people exchanges continued to be maintained, contributing to enhancing understanding, solidarity and friendship between the two nations. The two countries have also closely cooperated at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and regional security issues, including the East Sea.

Six major directions to elevate bilateral relations

Informing the press, the President said that at the talks, the two sides discussed and agreed on major directions to develop the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership to a new level of depth and effectiveness.

Firstly , enhance political trust between the two countries through the exchange of delegations and contacts at high and all levels through various channels, promote people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation. Review the action program to implement the strategic partnership for the 2019-2023 period through the Joint Committee mechanism at the Foreign Minister level; promptly develop an action program for the 2024-2028 period in line with the new situation.

With the traditional friendship and great achievements in cooperation between the two countries over the past 70 years, it is time to consider raising the bilateral relationship to a new level in the coming time to create new momentum for bilateral relations, contributing to bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries, and actively contributing to ASEAN solidarity for peace, stability and cooperation.

The President said that at the talks, the two sides discussed and agreed on major directions to develop the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership to a new level of deepening and effectiveness. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Second , continue to promote defense and security cooperation, maintain delegation exchanges and cooperation mechanisms on defense and security; do not allow any individual or organization to use the territory of one country to sabotage another.

Third , strive to soon bring bilateral trade turnover to 15 billion USD or higher in a balanced direction. Vietnam requests Indonesia to facilitate Vietnamese agricultural products and Halal products to access the Indonesian market. Encourage Indonesian enterprises to invest in Vietnam in the fields of banking, smart finance, high technology, innovation, etc. At the same time, pay attention to and facilitate Vietnamese enterprises to do business and invest in Indonesia.

Fourth , continue to promote cooperation in traditional fields such as education and training, agriculture, fisheries, culture, tourism, information technology, while expanding cooperation to other potential fields in line with current trends such as digital economy, energy conversion, etc.

Fifth , the two countries actively contribute to building a united and self-reliant ASEAN Community for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Sixth , reaffirm the importance of peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law; fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); make efforts to promote negotiations to reach an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“I believe that the visit of the President and the high-ranking delegation of Indonesia will make positive contributions to the development of the friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia in the coming time for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, and cooperation and development in the region and the world,” said President Vo Van Thuong.

Indonesia encourages Vietnamese businesses to increase investment

For his part, Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his sincere gratitude for Vietnam's warm welcome to him and the Indonesian delegation.

The Indonesian President said the two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the energy transition and digital economy to promote prosperity for people in the region. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

“The Strategic Partnership between Indonesia and Vietnam has gone through 10 years and we are pleased that the target of 10 billion USD in trade turnover has been achieved early,” said Mr. Joko Widodo.

The Indonesian leader once again emphasized that the two countries have agreed to increase new targets in various fields. Regarding investment, Indonesia welcomes investment from both countries, including large companies, especially two Indonesian unicorns, which have invested significantly in Vietnam.

“I am sure that Indonesian companies investing in Vietnam will always be given the best conditions,” the Indonesian President emphasized. At the same time, Mr. Joko Widodo said that the country encourages Vietnamese companies to further increase their investment in Indonesia.

Regarding food security, Indonesia agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fisheries, signing a memorandum of understanding on fisheries cooperation. “The signing of this memorandum of understanding is a great motivation to promote cooperation and investment,” said Mr. Joko Widodo.

Regarding strategic industrial cooperation, Indonesia welcomed investment commitments, especially from Vinfast Group worth US$1.2 billion to develop an electric vehicle and battery ecosystem for Indonesia.

“We agreed to promote cooperation in the energy transition and digital economy to promote the prosperity of people in the region,” the Indonesian President said.

Finally, President Joko Widodo said that the two sides agreed to maintain regional stability and economic growth through concrete implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and support the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

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