VietNamNet Bridge – Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shortened his state visit to Vietnam and returned home on October 27 for post-tsunami and earthquake rescue work.

The two presidents witness the signing of memoranda of understanding on co-operation on fishery and coastal issues, and on enhanced co-operation among defence officials and other related operations.

 

The Indonesian President informed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung about the plan in a telephone conversation immediately after his talks with President Nguyen Minh Triet.

He said he had to return to his country  to directly guide the search and rescue operations at an area off the west coast of Sumatra, where an earthquake-triggered tsunami killed more than 100 people and left over 500 others missing.

The Indonesian President affirmed that he will come back to Hanoi on October 30 for the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the related meetings as part of the 17th ASEAN Summit.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, Prime Minister Dung expressed his deep sympathy for  the Indonesian Government and people over heavy losses in life and property caused by the twin disasters.

He also expressed his belief that the Indonesian Government and people, especially those in the disaster-hit area, would soon overcome the consequences of these disasters and return to their stable lives.

PM Dung welcomed the Indonesian President’s decision to come to Hanoi for the EAS and the 17th ASEAN Summit meetings later this week.

Conflicts in East Sea must be solved by peaceful negotiations

Earlier, at the meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet on October 27, the Indonesian President said that it is necessary to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea and conflicts in this region must be solved through peaceful negotiations.

At the meeting, the two Indonesian and Vietnamese leaders expressed their determination to establish peace and stability in the East Sea and enhance regional political dialogue and co-operation. They pledged their support for conflict settlement through peaceful negotiations.

They also praised each others’ efforts in negotiation for the demarcation of the exclusive economic zone to build the legal foundation for bilateral cooperation in the sea.

Triet thanked the Indonesian Government for their humane treatment of the Vietnamese fishermen who illegally enter Indonesian water territory. He hoped that the two countries would continue their cooperation to deal with this issue based on the bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The two leaders said the two-way trade between Vietnam and Indonesia had great potential, as did further investment co-operation. They exchanged measures to strengthen cooperation in the fields of politics, security-defence, trade, investment, education-training, agriculture-forestry and transport.

President Triet said Vietnam wished to strengthen friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive co-operation with Indonesia.

"Vietnam attaches great importance to socio-economic development. Thus, Vietnam is well-prepared to collaborate with Indonesia in the fields of coal and gas exploitation," Triet said.

Yudhoyono said his visit would contribute to cementing closer ties between the two countries. He congratulated Vietnam on its successful chairing of ASEAN during 2010 and asked for help when Indonesia takes over as head of the organisation next year.

On behalf of the Vietnamese, Triet extended his condolences to Yudhoyono and all Indonesians over the loss of lives and property in the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck  the Mentawai Islands, west of Sumatra, late on Monday.

After the meeting, Triet and Yudhoyono witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding on co-operation on fishery and coastal issues, and on enhanced co-operation among defence officials and other related operations.

X.Linh