15:45, 07/08/2023
Regional media have published many articles emphasizing the significance of the official visit to Indonesia and attendance at the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-44) by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.
In an editorial, the official Antara News Agency affirmed that this visit is of great significance, demonstrating Vietnam's foreign policy of attaching importance to bilateral relations with Indonesia, wishing to contribute to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous environment in the region.
Regarding the Vietnam-Indonesia relationship, Antara said that the people of the two countries have joined hands in solidarity to fight for national independence. This is the result of the wise leadership and friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and President Soekarno.
This year, the two countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership with the desire to further strengthen cooperation in all areas from politics, diplomacy, economy, culture to people-to-people exchange.
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the Vietnam - Indonesia Strategic Partnership Forum. Photo: VNA |
The editorial reiterated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of the two countries have promoted the spirit of mutual love, support and assistance to together repel the epidemic.
During the most tense and difficult times, the leaders of Vietnam and Indonesia have regularly maintained diplomatic channels, exchanged and discussed solutions to prevent the spread of the epidemic and resolve difficulties.
The two countries also share the burden with ASEAN member countries in building a cooperation mechanism to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and gradually expand vaccination to the community. Fighting and winning the pandemic, the people of the two countries continue to join hands to rebuild the national economy.
The strong economic cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam is reflected in the bilateral trade turnover reaching 11.5 billion USD in 2021, an increase of 40% compared to 2020 and exceeding the target of 10 billion USD set by both sides in the action plan to implement the Strategic Partnership.
In order to further strengthen cooperation in the coming time, the two sides agreed to promote the completion of the Action Plan for the period 2024-2028 to orient bilateral cooperation in the future, aiming for two-way trade turnover of 15 billion USD by 2028. Bilateral trade is forecast to continue to increase in the coming time, in line with the economic growth rate of each country.
Regarding parliamentary cooperation, Vietnam has actively participated in multilateral forums and regional and international inter-parliamentary organizations. The National Assembly of Vietnam and the Indonesian People's Representative Council (DPR, i.e. the House of Representatives) signed a cooperation agreement in March 2010.
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue with the Indonesia - Vietnam Friendship Association. Photo: VNA |
The Vietnamese National Assembly wishes to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries through further promoting parliamentary cooperation activities such as increasing delegation exchanges at all levels, promoting exchanges and cooperation between specialized committees and friendship parliamentary groups.
The Vietnamese National Assembly also hopes to promote the exchange of information and experience with the Indonesian National Assembly on legislative work and supervision of contents related to economic and social recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and global issues such as digital transformation.
Also according to Antara, in the multilateral field, Vietnam expressed its support and appreciation for Indonesia's role and initiatives as ASEAN Chair in 2023, as well as Jakarta's efforts to continue maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region, especially in Southeast Asia, and globally.
Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam and ASEAN countries are currently promoting substantive and effective negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC), respecting the sovereignty and interests of relevant parties on the basis of principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Meanwhile, in a commentary published in Asia Review, Kompasiana and Republik Merdeka, Mr. Veeramalla Anjaiah, senior researcher at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), said that the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue clearly demonstrated the interest of the Vietnamese leadership in the relationship with Indonesia.
The visit also demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and trust between the leaders of the two countries, and their willingness to move towards deeper cooperation for the benefit of the people as well as for peace and stability in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the visit will also strengthen cooperation between the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Indonesia.
According to Mr. Anjaiah, since taking office as Chairman of the National Assembly in 2021, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has made efforts to innovate the quality and efficiency of the National Assembly's operations to bring the country to new heights, becoming a rich, strong, democratic, fair and civilized nation.
Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the Vietnamese National Assembly have been making efforts to innovate their working style, making an important contribution to the country's socio-economic development.
The veteran Indonesian journalist recalled that Vietnam and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on December 30, 1955. In 2013, the two countries elevated their friendly relations to the level of strategic partnership.
Vietnam and Indonesia are both important members of ASEAN and are striving to achieve high-income country status by 2045 through transitioning from resource-based industries to high-tech industries, as well as enhancing educational cooperation and knowledge sharing.
With a population of 98.9 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$430.77 billion, Vietnam is the third most populous country and the fourth largest economy in ASEAN.
Meanwhile, Indonesia, with a population of 277.7 million and a GDP of US$1.36 trillion, is the most populous country and the largest economy in ASEAN. The two countries account for 60% of ASEAN's total population and 45% of its total GDP.
The international researcher added that Vietnam, together with Indonesia, has made great contributions to ASEAN and is committed to working with the Association to respond to global challenges.
The two countries also share the same view on the East Sea issue, according to which all maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.
According to VNA/Vietnam+
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