Vietnam resolved to beef up ties with Indonesia: Deputy PM hinh anh 1 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) and Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi (Photo: VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Vietnam will continue working closely with Indonesia to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership toward effectiveness, practical outcomes and win-win benefits, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Minh made the statement at a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on June 21 on the sidelines of the ongoing 34th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

He took the occasion to congratulate Indonesia on its successful presidential and parliamentary elections with the impressive victory of President Joko Widodo.

Both ministers praised the recent progress recorded in bilateral ties and agreed to coordinate in preparation for high-level visits and meeting between the two countries, which they considered a foundation to strengthen political trust and cooperation orientations.

They agreed to boost collaboration between Vietnamese and Indonesian ministries, sectors and localities, improving bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and tackling existing problems in a bid to maintain the development and stability of bilateral ties.

The two ministers exchanged experience on sustainable economic development, particularly regarding the marine economy, saying that cooperation in managing and conserving marine resources is a pillar of the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership.

They also agreed to continue promoting negotiations to demarcate overlapping exclusive economic zones between the two countries, creating a legal basis to effectively manage their territorial waters and fortifying international cooperation.

They consented to collaborate in exchanging information on fishermen and fishing vessels, as well as to settling differences based on the humanitarian spirit, the strategic partnership, and the ASEAN solidarity.

They said amid global complicated developments and strong competition among big nations, Vietnam and Indonesia need to increase mutual support and cooperation in terms of stances and policies, particularly in 2020 when both are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and Vietnam takes over the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Concerning the East Sea issue, the two ministers were committed to continuing cooperation and sharing stances and viewpoints with each other and with other ASEAN member states to keep solidarity and common voice, and ensure peace, security and stability in the East Sea.

They also promised to promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and speed up the finalisation of a practical, effective, and comprehensive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.-VNA
VNA