Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi have vowed to work for the target of raising two-way trade to 10 billion USD in 2018 from 5.4 billion USD last year, as agreed by top leaders of both countries.

During their talks in Hanoi on April 3 as part of Marsudi’s Vietnam visit from April 2-3, the two ministers concurred to increase consultations to settle all arising problems in the spirit of friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Both sides expressed delight at the growing relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia as well as the two foreign ministries in particular over the past years, especially in politics, defence-security and economy.

In order to further foster the bilateral affiliation in the coming time, the two sides pledged to work closely in organising activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, while continue enhancing exchanges of delegation at all levels and channels from State, Government, National Assembly to people-to-people contacts.

Meanwhile, Vietnam and Indonesia will make full use of bilateral collaboration mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Economic, Science and Technology Cooperation and Bilateral Cooperation Committee at Foreign Ministerial level.

The Indonesian foreign minister affirmed that the new Government of Indonesia continues paying great attention to strengthening ties with Vietnam .

The two sides agreed to continue with regular consultations between the two foreign ministries’ policy-making bodies, the exchange of information and cooperation on consular matters in line with the memorandum of understanding signed in 2011.

Regarding regional and international issues, both sides were pleased at bilateral coordination at regional and international forums, including the ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Asia-Europe Meeting and United Nations.

Marsudi said Indonesia will support Vietnam in performing the role of APEC Chair in 2017.

They highlighted the importance of peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in conformity with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They called on all parties to strictly and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea , practice restraint and refrain from actions that can escalate tension, including the use and threat to use force or unilaterally changing the status quo in the region.

They also stressed the significance of building a Code of Conduct in the East Sea as soon as possible.

Indonesia wishes to boost ties with Vietnam

Indonesia attaches special importance to and gives great priority to developing its ties with Vietnam, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi on April 3.

The Indonesian diplomat, who is on a two-day visit since April 2, informed her host of the results of her talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, expressing her belief that the bilateral relations will grow stronger in the coming time.

She said the two sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of the Action Plan on enhancing the Vietnam-Indonesia Strategic Partnership in the 2014-2018 period, as well as forge economic, trade and investment links to lift two-way trade to 10 billion USD in 2018.

PM Dung said he believes that the Indonesian FM’s visit will contribute to stepping up the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

He said there is still room for both sides to further tap the potential for cooperation, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

The PM noted that as neighbours and members of ASEAN, Vietnam and Indonesia need to promote dialogues for defining their exclusive economic zones at sea, adding that while the negotiations are yet to conclude, he hopes the Indonesian side will treat Vietnamese fishermen and fishing boats violating Indonesia’s territorial waters in the spirit of the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Vietnam is willing to work with Indonesia to address arising issues related to this, the Vietnamese leader affirmed.

Concurring with PM Dung’s suggestion, Marsudi said her country will team up with Vietnam to settle all arising problems.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the guest affirmed that her country backs the strict and full respect of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and the early building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

VNA