Reporter: Ambassador , how has the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia developed since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013?

Ambassador Ta Van Thong: On the occasion of the State visit ofPresident Truong Tan Sang, on June 27, 2013, the two sides issued a Joint Statement establishing a Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Since then, the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia has been developing strongly, comprehensively and firmly.

In 2017, the official visit to Indonesia by General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong marked an important milestone, the first time the Party's top leader visited Indonesia since President Ho Chi Minh 's visit in 1959.

In 2018, President Joko Widodo paid a state visit to Vietnam, and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also paid a working visit to Indonesia. In 2021, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Indonesia on his first overseas trip as Prime Minister. In 2022, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc paid a state visit to Indonesia.

The signed action programs have deepened bilateral cooperation in all areas of politics, diplomacy, defense, security, economy, tourism, culture and people-to-people exchange.

The two sides are completing the action program for the 2024-2028 period to sign as soon as possible. Cooperation mechanisms such as the Bilateral Cooperation Committee at the Foreign Minister level have held three meetings, and the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation has held two meetings.

Economic and trade cooperation has made remarkable progress. Trade turnover between the two countries has also recorded positive growth. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner, while Vietnam is Indonesia's fourth largest trading partner. It is expected that in 2023, bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Indonesia can reach or exceed 15 billion USD, soon achieving the goal set by the two countries' senior leaders.

Defense and security relations have also been strengthened, notably through visits by the Indonesian Defense Minister (May 2022), visits to Indonesia by the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and the participation of the Vietnamese delegation in multilateral ASEAN-Russia naval exercises (December 2021). The Vietnam Coast Guard has signed a cooperation agreement with the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (December 2021), contributing to strengthening security in the common maritime border area between the two countries.

Cooperation in other areas has also been strengthened. In agriculture and fisheries, the two countries are promoting cooperation in aquaculture, fishing and seafood processing, especially maritime and fisheries. The Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries recently paid a working visit to Vietnam. Cooperation in culture, education and training, tourism and people-to-people exchange continues to be maintained.

The two sides have coordinated to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the visits of President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno, contributing to further tightening the friendship between the two peoples. A number of localities of the two countries have established partnerships, such as between Kien Giang province and West Kalimantan province; Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and Padang city; Da Nang city and Semarang city; Thua Thien Hue province and Yogyakarta city. The two sides are promoting cooperation agreements between Ho Chi Minh City and Bali province, and between Hue city and Denpasar city.

Indonesia continues to maintain a number of training and cultural scholarships for Vietnamese students. The number of tourists from both countries is increasing, with each country having about 70,000-80,000 tourists choosing to travel to the other country. The two sides have resumed direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta, Bali, and between Hanoi and Bali with high frequency flights and are studying to open more flights to other locations such as Da Nang and Yogyakarta.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong gives an interview, July 2022. (Photo: Huu Chien/VNA)

Reporter: According to the Ambassador, what are the most important areas of cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia in recent times and what are the prospects of these areas in the coming time?

Ambassador Ta Van Thong: We all know that Vietnam and Indonesia are two countries with a tradition of friendly relations, the foundation of which was built by leaders such as President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno and generations of leaders and people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate over the past 68 years.

Indonesia was the first country in Southeast Asia with which Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations in 1955. After 1975, Indonesian President Suharto was the first head of state in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific to visit Vietnam in 1990. Relations between the two countries developed rapidly after Vietnam joined ASEAN, establishing a Comprehensive Partnership in 2003. Vietnam became the only Strategic Partner in Southeast Asia when the two countries upgraded their relations in 2013.

For these reasons, the good political relations and traditional friendship between the two countries continue to be a valuable asset that the senior leaders as well as the people of the two countries highly value, preserve and promote. In multilateral forums, the two countries always have close coordination and the same views on many issues of strategic importance, associated with maintaining peace, stability and security in the region. Therefore, the close relationship between the two countries is not only strategic for the development of each country but also contributes to the peace, stability and development of the Southeast Asian region in particular and the Indo-Pacific region in general.

In addition to political and diplomatic relations, economic cooperation - a focus in bilateral relations - is making great strides. Indonesia is currently one of Vietnam's leading important partners in the region. As I mentioned above, the strong development of two-way trade has exceeded the expectations of both countries and has the potential to develop even more strongly.

In the coming time, the two sides will continue to further promote the traditional friendship, creating momentum to develop the Vietnam - Indonesia Strategic Partnership to new heights. The signing of the action program for the new period 2024-2028 will further deepen the already comprehensive cooperation areas between the two countries, while opening up cooperation opportunities in new areas such as energy transition, digital transformation and infrastructure as agreed by the two countries' senior leaders.

Economically, Vietnam and Indonesia are both potential, emerging and rapidly developing economies. Indonesia is the 16th largest economy in the world, with an increasingly large middle class, a market with much room for Vietnamese products. For Indonesia, Vietnam is also a market with great potential for Indonesia to promote cooperation in both trade and investment. The two sides need to take advantage of new opportunities, continue to share and cooperate more closely to turn challenges into opportunities, and competitive pressure into a driving force for innovation and development.

Vietnam and Indonesia also need to continue to improve the legal framework for cooperation activities, promote the effectiveness of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the two countries, limit the application of trade barriers, facilitate trade and investment flows between the two countries, actively support the business communities of the two countries to carry out business cooperation activities, and participate in trade promotion activities in each country. The two countries also need to research and seek cooperation opportunities in new fields, taking advantage of the opportunities brought by the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Reporter: Could you please tell us about the priorities and main directions to promote Vietnam-Indonesia relations in the coming time?

Ambassador Ta Van Thong: Regarding politics and security, strengthen unity and coordination between the two countries at multilateral organizations and forums, contributing to consolidating solidarity and the central role of ASEAN, maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region as well as in the world; continue to promote exchanges and contacts at high and all levels; maintain and promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms; coordinate policies according to Indonesia's priorities for the region, especially during Indonesia's term as ASEAN Chair in 2023. The two countries continue to further strengthen delegation exchanges, promote deeper cooperation in the fields of defense and security.

In terms of economy and trade, promote economic, trade and investment cooperation, jointly propose solutions to increase bilateral trade, aiming for new and higher goals for two-way trade; promote economic cooperation, including developing balanced trade, actively exploiting potential for cooperation in new fields, especially with the potential "energy transition" plan; negotiate to remove non-trade barriers, resolve difficulties and create more conditions and incentives for businesses of both sides to best access each other's markets.

Regarding culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchange, strengthen connections and people-to-people exchanges through exchange activities of art troupes, mass organizations and localities. The two sides need to increase scholarships for students from both sides to study and work in each country. In the coming time, Indonesia can become one of the destinations chosen by Vietnamese students in Southeast Asia. The two sides need to exploit more strongly the tourism potential in Southeast Asia, cooperate to complement each other through tourism linkage products, promote and enhance understanding of each other's history, traditions and culture. Along with that, the two sides also need to increase frequency and consider opening new flight routes connecting tourist destinations between the two countries. Tourism enhancement projects need to take into account Indonesia's relocation of the capital and promote development in new areas.

Reporter: As active members of ASEAN, how meaningful is the close cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam in promoting peace and prosperity in the region, Ambassador?

Ambassador Ta Van Thong: The cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia is of great significance to the formation of the ASEAN Community as well as the role and position of ASEAN in the current regional structure. Previously, Indonesia was the leading country in supporting Vietnam to join ASEAN and in fact, with the participation and active contributions of Vietnam and other member countries that joined later, ASEAN has grown stronger and become one of the most successful regional organizations in the world. The Southeast Asian region has maintained peace and stability for a long time, creating favorable conditions for the development and prosperity of member countries. ASEAN's partnership has been continuously expanded with new mechanisms such as the ASEAN Summit, AMM/PMC, East Asia Summit, strategic partnerships with major powers in the world and the Asia-Pacific region... The dialogue mechanisms that ASEAN has built have contributed to handling complex issues such as the East Sea issue, gradually moving towards an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea, bringing peace, stability and security to the region.

Both countries are active members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), always cooperating to contribute to the development of the ASEAN Economic Community. In ASEAN, Indonesia is the largest market with more than 280 million consumers, Vietnam is the third largest market with 100 million people and impressive economic growth. In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam, as ASEAN Chair, coordinated with member countries, in which Indonesia played an active role, flexibly responding to the pandemic, restoring the supply chain, ensuring the production and business environment, and promoting ASEAN's self-reliance and internal strength. Currently, as ASEAN Chair 2023, Indonesia has also identified the theme as a focus on growth to further promote the recovery of ASEAN countries, overcoming challenges in the context of the current global economy facing many difficulties and unpredictability.

Reporter: Thank you, Ambassador.

VNA