Hanoi (VNA) – President VoVan Thuong and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo affirmed the importancethe two countries attach to the bilateral strategic partnership, and agreed onthe need to soon elevate it to a new height, at their talks in Hanoi on January12 morning.

The talks took place following an official welcomeceremony for the Indonesian leader, who is paying a state visit to Vietnam fromJanuary 11-13.

President Thuong highly valued achievements that Indonesia hasrecorded in both home and external affairs under the leadership of President Widodo overthe past two tenures, and congratulated Indonesia on its successful performanceof G20 Presidency in 2022, and ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly(AIPA) Chairmanship last year.

He noted his hope that Indonesia willsuccessfully organise its upcoming general election and further develop, forpeace and cooperation in the region and the world.

For his part, Widodo expressed his pleasure in hissecond visit to Vietnam in his capacity as the President of Indonesia, andthanked Vietnam forsupporting Indonesia in performing the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023, sayingIndonesia wishes to enhance its traditional friendship and cooperation withVietnam – its only strategic partner in the ASEAN.

The leaders rejoiced at the strong, dynamicdevelopment of the bilateral strategic partnership, with regular all-leveldelegation exchanges and contacts, notably the phone talks between PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Widodo in August 2022.

They shared the view that the 2019-2023 actionprogramme for the strategic partnership has been implemented effectively, andcooperation in other important fields like national defence-security,education-training, culture-tourism, locality-to-locality connectivity andpeople-to-people exchange has also made progress.

Indonesia is Vietnam’s third largest trade partnerin the ASEAN, while Vietnam is Indonesia’s fourth biggest trade partner in thegrouping, they said, noting that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, two-waytrade still grew significantly, from 9 billion USD in 2019 to nearly 14 billionUSD last year.

For future cooperation orientations, the Presidentsconsented to foster political trust through delegation exchanges and contacts, theeffective implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and the earlybuilding of the 2024-2028 action programme. Given the significant cooperative outcomes over the past nearly 70 years, the two countries should early lift their strategic partnership to a new level, they said.

The two countries will also strengthen collaborationin other important spheres such as national defence-security, and maritime cooperation, andenhance the exchange of experience in fighting cross-border crimes, the leaderssaid, stressing that they will not allow any individuals and organisations to use one country’sterritory to sabotage the other.

The two sides agreed to increase cooperation in agriculture, fisheries,information-communications, education-training, culture, sports and tourism, and at the same time expand collaboration to new, potential spheres like smart financing, energytransition, digital transformation, innovation and developing the electricvehicle and battery ecosystem. They will also open more direct flights andenhance connectivity between their localities, businesses and residents.

Vietnam and Indonesia will strive to soon raise the bilateraltrade to 15 billion USD or even higher by reducing trade barriers andfacilitating the export and import of each other’s key items, including rice.

Thuong suggested Indonesia create favourableconditions for Vietnamese farm produce and halal products to access its market,and encourage Indonesian enterprises to expand their investment in Vietnam.

Widodo said more and more Indonesian investors haveshown their interest in Vietnam, and called on Vietnamese businesses to expandtheir operation in Indonesia.

President Thuong spoke highly of Indonesia’s cooperation inthe fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, andsuggested the two sides continue with the joint efforts.

Regarding regional and international issues ofshared concern, the Presidents concurred to increase consultations and furthertheir close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.

They will work together to uphold ASEAN’s solidarityand centrality, and coordinate with other ASEAN member countries to supportLaos in performing the ASEAN Chairmanship 2024.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace,stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the EastSea, pledging that Vietnam and Indonesia will coordinate to maintain ASEAN’s unity and common stance in the East Sea issue, fully and effectively implement theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and push ahead with negotiations to reach a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea(COC) in line with international law, especially the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Following the talks, the leaders witnessed theexchange of an MoU on cooperation ininformation-communications, and another on fishery.

They then co-chaired a press conference to announce outcomesof their talks, highlighting the consensus on raising bilateral trade.

Thuong noted his belief that Widodo’s visit willcreate new momentum for the friendship and cooperation in the time ahead,stressing that it is time to consider upgrading the relationship to a newheight in the time ahead.

Widodo welcomed Vietnamese and Indonesian businessesto invest in the respective markets, and expressed his firm belief thatIndonesian companies in Vietnam will always receive optimal conditions.

The same day, President Vo Van Thuong hosted abanquet for President Widodo and his entourage. /.