Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo warmly welcomed and highlyevaluated the important significance of the visit to Indonesia by Vietnamesecounterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc ahead of the 10th anniversary of bilateralstrategic partnership next year, during their talks in Jakarta on December 22.

PresidentWidodo said the visit will create new impetus for the extensive and practicaldevelopment of the bilateral ties. Congratulating Vietnam on its achievementsin controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining economic growth and ensuringsocial security, he affirmed that Vietnam is a partner of strategic importanceof Indonesia in the region.

PresidentPhuc, for his part, congratulated Indonesia on its post-pandemic recovery anddevelopment, fulfillment of its role as Chair of G20 in 2022 and a higherstature on the international arena.

Vietnamalways treasures its strategic partnership with Indonesia, he stressed, wishingthat the two countries would realise their goals of becoming developed nationsby 2045 on the occasion of their 100th founding anniversaries.

Onthis occasion, President Phuc invited President Widodo to visit Vietnam at aappropriate time.

Bothleaders expressed their delight at the rapid and effective development of thebilateral strategic partnership in all key spheres, from politics, security,defence, to economy, trade, investment, tourism, transportation,education-training and culture. In particular, two-way trade in the first 11months of this year reached a all-time high of nearly 13 billion USD.

Theypledged to continue facilitating all-level visits and exchanges and effectivelyimplement cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Commission for BilateralCooperation and Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific, andTechnical Cooperation, as well as signed cooperation agreements,especially the 2019-2023 action plan to realise the bilateral strategicpartnership, towards building the 2024-2028 action plan and lifting two-waytrade to 15 billion USD before 2028 in a more balanced manner.

TheVietnamese President suggested Indonesia consider reducing trade barriers,providing technical support and facilitating the import of goods from Vietnam,including Halal-standard products suitable for Muslim market.

Bothsides affirmed their determination to step up investment ties to be on par withtheir potential and strategic partnership bby creating favourable conditionsfor enterprises to diversity investments, including in new fields such asdigital economy and transformation, green economy and renewable energy.

PresidentWidodo said that more and more Indonesian businesses are interested ininvesting in Vietnam and hoped that more Vietnamese enterprises will expandtheir operations in Indonesia.

Thetwo leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in other important fields suchas national defence-security, including jointly dealing with common securitychallenges at sea, fighting transnational crimes, ensuring energy and foodsecurity while tightening bonds in education-training, tourism, increasing thefrequency of direct commercial flights as well as people-to-people andlocality-to-locality exchanges.

Thetwo countries will increase consultations and work closely together at regionand global forums, and uphold ASEAN’s solidarity and central role, they said.

TheVietnamese side affirmed support for Indonesia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2023.Meanwhile, Indonesia also agreed to back Vietnam’s efforts to fulfill its roleas a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025tenure.

Reaffirmingthe importance of peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigationand aviation in the East Sea, they pledged to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity andcommon stance on the East Sea issue; promote the implementation of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work closelytogether in the negotiations on an effective and efficient Code of Conduct inthe East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Concludingthe talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of cooperationagreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation interrorism prevention and combat, a MoU on cooperation in fighting the illegaltrafficking and transportation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances andprecursors, and another on cooperation in energy and mineral resources.

Later,the two Presidents met with the press to inform about the results of theirtalks, including the completion of negotiations on the delimitation of theexclusive economic zone in accordance with international law and the 1982UNCLOS

Earlierthe same day, President Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation laid wreaths at amonument dedicated to Indonesian national heroes in Kalibata Heroes Cemeterywhere 7,000 fallen combatants, national heroes, leaders and well-known personsof Indonesia are resting in peace./