President Vo Van Thuong presided over the welcoming ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the most solemn manner, with a 21-gun salute.
At the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace this morning, President Vo Van Thuong and President Joko Widodo saluted the flag, amid the resounding sound of 21 cannon shots fired at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. This is the most solemn welcoming ceremony in Vietnam's foreign relations.
The two leaders reviewed the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army, then held talks to discuss bilateral cooperation and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents.
President Vo Van Thuong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo inspect the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army at the Presidential Palace on the morning of January 12. Photo: Vu Anh
President Widodo will pay a state visit to Vietnam from January 11-13 and is expected to participate in a number of activities in the capital Hanoi.
Vietnam and Indonesia established relations in 1955. In 2003, the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership and upgraded it to a Strategic Partnership in 2013. Vietnam is Indonesia's only Strategic Partner in ASEAN.
The two leaders shook hands before entering the talks. Photo: Giang Huy
Indonesia is Vietnam's third largest trading partner in ASEAN, while Vietnam is Indonesia's fourth largest trading partner in the bloc. As of the end of November 2023, bilateral trade turnover reached about 12.6 billion USD. The two countries are aiming to reach a turnover of 15 billion USD.
At a press conference on January 11, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said President Widodo’s visit took place in the context of the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia developing smoothly and positively. This is evidence affirming Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to relations with neighboring countries and ASEAN, including Indonesia.
President Vo Van Thuong and President Widodo began talks. Photo: Giang Huy
The two leaders will discuss many measures and directions for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, security, defense, transportation, and agriculture to promote relations.
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