Deputy PM Hue, currently on a visit to Indonesia from June 19-21, told his host that the establishment of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia in 2013 opened up a new chapter in developing bilateral cooperation far and wide. He suggested reinforcing the traditional friendship and strategic partnership through intensifying the exchange of high-level delegations, effectively implementing the existing cooperation mechanisms and stepping up comprehensive cooperation. The two diplomats expressed delight at the vigorous growth of bilateral partnership, especially in economy, trade and investment. Deputy PM Hue proposed thorough preparations for for the seventh meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic and Science-Technology Cooperation in 2017 to seek specific measures to elevate two-way trade to US$10 billion next year.
He affirmed Vietnam's readiness to offer optimal conditions for Indonesian firms to invest in the country, while asking for Indonesia’s support for Vietnamese enterprises in doing business in Indonesia, especially in rice export, oil and gas.
He also thanked the Indonesian Foreign Ministry for close coordination in sending 695 Vietnamese fishermen back to their homeland.
Minister Retno Marsudi, in turn pledged to cooperate with Vietnam in accelerating negotiations for an agreement in demarcation of overlapping exclusive economic zones between the two countries.
Regarding regional and international cooperation, Deputy PM Hue reiterated Vietnam’s policy of boosting intensive, extensive and comprehensive international integration, and regional economic connectivity and prioritising the implementation of regional economic connectivity initiatives, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Both sides concurred to augment their collaboration in effectively realising commitments in the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), while enhancing coordination and mutual support and giving joint initiatives in areas of common viewpoints such as sustainable development, natural disaster response, water management, food and energy security.
Minister Retno Marsudi said her nation fully backs Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Year 2017 and underlined the need to promote collaboration in the East Sea issue to ensure the maintenance of peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the region, and the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
