President hails strategic partnership with Indonesia

HÀ NỘI  – The establishment of the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Indonesia in 2013 was an important milestone in bilateral relations, allowing the two countries to develop their friendship to a new height.

President Trần Đại Quang made the remarks during a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu in Hà Nội yesterday.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his pleasure with co-operation between the two nations, especially in politics, economy, culture, education-training, and defence.

He said Việt Nam valued Indonesia’s role and contributions to promoting multilateral collaboration, especially within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Việt Nam attaches importance to developing ties with Indonesia, seeing the country as a top priority in its diplomacy, he said, adding that reinforcing bilateral relations benefits both nations and peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and beyond.

The President praised Indonesia for its consistent standpoint over the East Sea issue, saying he hopes Indonesia together with Việt Nam and other ASEAN member states will realise the ASEAN Community’s targets.

He also welcomed the outcomes of the talks between the two countries’ defence ministers and proposed the two sides realise bilateral cooperation agreements.

Regarding the settlement of issues at sea, the President suggested the two sides’ maritime forces take measures to raise awareness among fishermen and prevent them from violating the waters of their respective countries. He called for humanitarian treatment towards fishermen as the two sides have yet to conclude negotiations on the delimitation of exclusive economic zones.

The Indonesian defence minister informed his host about the outcomes of the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Ngô Xuân Lịch during which the two sides agreed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing co-operation among defence officials signed in October 2010.

Special attention will be paid to all-level delegation exchanges while setting up a defence policy dialogue mechanism, sharing experience in humanitarian assistance, joining the UN peace keeping forces, and increasing co-operation in the navy and defence industry, he said.

He added that he hopes Viet Nam will play a bigger role in ASEAN. He also shared Indonesia’s viewpoints on East Sea security and anti-terrorism, stressing the need to strengthen multinational co-ordination.

He agreed with the President’s proposal in the matter concerning fishermen and promised to inform the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Việt Nam, Indonesia to further defence, naval ties

Việt Nam attaches importance to relations with Indonesia for peace, stability, co-operation and the development of the ASEAN Community, the region and the world. 

Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngô Xuân Lịch made the comments to his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu during talks in Hà Nội yesterday. 

At the talks, General Lịch described Ryacudu’s official visit as an important contribution to the friendship between the two armies and peoples, aiming to boost their strategic partnership.

The Indonesian official said his country wanted to strengthen co-operation with Việt Nam for the sake of their peoples. 

The two sides noted the development of their defence ties, which have reaped substantive outcomes under a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2010, especially in delegation exchange, naval co-operation and personnel training. 

They agreed to continue implementing the document, increase all-level visits, and set up a defence policy dialogue mechanism. 

Việt Nam and Indonesia will also reinforce connections between their navies, as well as in personnel training, the defence industry and experience sharing on humanitarian aid, disaster relief and joining UN peacekeeping missions. 

The countries will consult and support each other on issues of mutual concern and at multilateral forums, particularly regional defence-military co-operation mechanisms. 

The Indonesian official is on his first visit as Defence Minister to Việt Nam from August 7 to 9. — VNS