Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets with Indonesian President
Joko Widodo (Photo: VNA)
At the meeting, President Widodo spoke highly of Vietnam’s careful preparations
for the WEF ASEAN 2018, which served as a foundation for the success of the
event. He added that it is an important event, offering huge opportunities for
the development and application of creative industries and digital technology.
The two leaders expressed their delight at the positive development of the
Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership in the five years since its
establishment. They also lauded the signing of an action programme on the
implementation of the strategic partnership for the 2019-2023 period, towards
celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic
partnership in 2023.
Both leaders affirmed their determination to fully tap the two nations’
potential in economic cooperation in order to bring bilateral trade to 10
billion USD in 2020 and towards an equal trade balance. President Widodo
welcomed Vietnam’s export of agro-forestry-fishery products, steel, and
electronic products to Indonesia.
The two leaders also agreed to devise a suitable mechanism to promptly handle
troubles and suggestions from businesses of both sides, creating favourable
conditions for bilateral investment.
PM Phuc and President Widodo consented to accelerate negotiations on the
demarcation of the exclusive economic zones between the two countries in line
with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
The two sides promised to cooperate closely to limit illegal fishing and
affirmed that the issue of arrested fishermen and fishing vessels should be
handled in a humanitarian spirit and in accordance with the two countries’
friendship and international law. On this occasion, President Widodo said
Indonesia will return 155 Vietnamese fishermen who are currently being detained
in the country.
The two leaders agreed to increase consultations on regional and international
issues, coordinate to build a united, self-reliant ASEAN, and enhance ASEAN’s
central role in the regional architecture.
They reiterated their consistent stance on the East Sea issue; ensuring peace,
stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation; settlement
of disputes through peaceful measures and in line with international law,
particularly the 1982 UNCLOS; full and effective implementation of the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and acceleration of
negotiations on a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Source: VNA