Vietnam - Indonesia upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Kinhtedothi - Economic & Urban Newspaper respectfully introduces the full text of the Joint Statement on strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Vietnam.

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Prabowo Subianto, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly paid a State visit to the Republic of Indonesia from March 9-11, 2025.
During the visit, President Prabowo Subianto and General Secretary To Lam held discussions in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam.
The two leaders stressed that since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2013, the two countries have made many important achievements in deepening mutual trust and cooperation. Relations have been increasingly expanded and substantive in key areas such as politics, security, defense, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, maritime cooperation, education, information technology and people-to-people exchange.
Building on the achievements of the current Strategic Partnership framework, the two Leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Indonesia and Vietnam, marking an important milestone in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
By elevating bilateral relations to a new height, the two Leaders pledged to take the relationship to a new chapter. The two sides pledged to deepen cooperation in all channels, including people-to-people exchanges and business communities of the two countries. The two leaders pledged to enhance political trust, cooperation and coordination in addressing global challenges on the basis of respect for international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. The two sides reaffirmed their adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and pledged to promote ASEAN solidarity, self-reliance, centrality and inclusiveness, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
In the spirit of bringing bilateral relations to a new chapter, the two Leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges and conducting regular reviews of the relationship through existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
The two leaders agreed to deepen economic cooperation to contribute to the joint efforts of Indonesia and Vietnam to become high-income countries by the 100th anniversary of their national day in 2045. To achieve this goal, the two countries have set a bilateral trade target of US$18 billion by 2028 and will continue to strengthen cross-sectoral economic cooperation. The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation to new areas for a sustainable future such as green economy, food and energy security, Halal industry, fisheries, agriculture, maritime cooperation, science and technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and finance and banking.
The two Leaders stressed the importance of mutual support and close coordination at multilateral forums to address regional and global challenges of common concern. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation and coordination at ASEAN, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum and inter-parliamentary forums, and to actively contribute to regional and global issue-solving mechanisms. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the ASEAN Community building process, including the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and related Strategic Plans. The two leaders also stressed the importance of promoting connectivity among sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, including the Mekong sub-region.
The two Leaders assigned the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with relevant agencies to develop an Action Plan to effectively implement the decision to elevate bilateral cooperation through specific and mutually beneficial initiatives.
The two leaders discussed developments in the East Sea and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in line with ASEAN’s consistent stance. The two sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes peacefully through legal and diplomatic means, in full compliance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two Leaders called on all parties to comply with international law, exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that may escalate tensions. They stressed the importance of fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and maintaining and promoting a conducive environment for negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and encouraged the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. The two sides recognized the 1982 UNCLOS as the legal framework for all activities in the seas and oceans and reaffirmed the strategic importance of UNCLOS in providing the legal basis for regional and global maritime cooperation.
General Secretary To Lam expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and people of Indonesia for their warm welcome and respectfully invited President Prabowo Subianto to visit Vietnam at a convenient time. President Prabowo Subianto happily accepted the invitation./.