Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng meets Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta . — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

JAKARTA – Việt Nam attaches special importance and gives high priority to maintaining and developing its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Indonesia, said Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng. 
During their talks following a welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese leader in Jakarta yesterday, Party General Secretary Trọng and Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed their appreciation at the development of bilateral ties over the past six decades, especially since the establishment of a strategic partnership between the countries in 2013. 
The two leaders informed the other about the situation in each country and discussed major orientations to further deepen the Việt Nam-Indonesia strategic partnership and push forward with bilateral ties in all spheres in a more practical and effective manner. 
They expressed their belief that two-way trade value would soon rise to US$10 billion from the level of $6 billion last year thanks to measures encouraging Vietnamese and Indonesian businesses to expand cooperation and investment in each other’s market, particularly in the fields of oil and gas, coal, rice, Halal food, pepper and rubber. 
President Widodo emphasised three particular areas of cooperation, including maritime navigation and fishing; trade and investment; and regional and international issues. 
The leaders agreed to maintain regular visits and meetings at all levels and through different channels to increase mutual understanding and trust and promote mutually-beneficial co-operation while effectively upholding existing co-operation mechanisms, including the Bilateral Co-operation Committee and the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, as well as enhancing links between localities of the two nations. 
The two sides shared the view that co-operation in defence and security was a highlight in bilateral relations over recent years and also a very important pillar of cooperation that needs to be strengthened. On that basis, they pledged to coordinate closely in fighting terrorism, cyber and hi-tech crimes, human trafficking, drug trafficking and transnational crimes. 
The two sides pledged to accelerate and soon conclude negotiations on the demarcation of exclusive economic zones towards devising overall solutions, including settling issues related to fishing boats and fishermen in the spirit of humanity, friendship and solidarity within ASEAN, in line with the bilateral strategic partnership and on the basis of respect for each country’s independence and sovereignty. 
At the talks, General Secretary Trọng and President Widodo also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern. They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, peacefully resolving disputes, and complying with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. They also stressed the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. 
Both sides vowed to continue coordinating to settle common issues, including counter-terrorism, piracy, arms and nuclear weapon proliferation. The leaders promised to closely cooperate in terms of stance and action at international and regional forums, particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and the United Nations, as well as regional and global economic and trade cooperation initiatives. 
The Vietnamese and Indonesian leaders held that during its five-decade history, ASEAN has obtained important achievements, especially the establishment of the ASEAN Community. They affirmed that Việt Nam and Indonesia will continue coordinating together closely and with other ASEAN members to realise the Community’s goals, promote the bloc’s solidarity and cooperation, build a united and strong ASEAN, and bring into play the grouping’s central role in regional architectures. 
President Widodo appreciated Việt Nam’s support for Indonesia’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2019-2020 tenure. He also affirmed that Indonesia backs Việt Nam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and continues working closely with Việt Nam in the APEC Year 2017. 
Party General Secretary Trọng invited President Joko Widodo to visit Việt Nam at an appropriate time. President Widodo thanked the Vietnamese leader and accepted the invitation with pleasure. — VNS