Jakarta, October 22, 2024 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Vietnam’s role as a key partner in the region during his meeting with Vietnamese Vice State President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân. President Subianto emphasized that there remains significant untapped potential for collaboration between the two countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally, which should be fully optimized.
Vice President Xuân, who visited Indonesia from October 19-21 to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Subianto, conveyed letters of congratulations from Vietnam’s Party, State, and Government leaders. She also commended Indonesia’s remarkable socio-economic achievements in recent years.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive and effective progress of the bilateral strategic partnership across various sectors. They agreed to increase exchanges and meetings at all levels and through multiple channels, including party-to-party, state-to-state, and people-to-people connections. Additionally, the two sides will collaborate on organizing activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia in 2025, as well as the 80th anniversaries of Indonesia’s Independence Day and Vietnam’s National Day next year.
The leaders committed to enhancing economic cooperation, with the goal of raising two-way trade to US$18 billion. They also encouraged businesses to invest in new sectors, such as the Halal industry, digital economy, green economy, green transition, and electric vehicle ecosystem development. Vice President Xuân urged Indonesia to facilitate greater access for Vietnamese agricultural and Halal-certified products in the Indonesian market, and to support Vietnamese investment in the country.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in other key areas, including defense and security, combating transnational crime, and maritime collaboration.
On regional and international issues, the leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination and mutual support in regional and international forums. They reaffirmed their commitment to upholding ASEAN unity and centrality in addressing regional matters, particularly concerning the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea). Both sides reiterated the need to advance negotiations for a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (CoC) in the East Sea, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
During the meeting, Vice President Xuân extended invitations from Vietnam’s high-ranking leaders for President Subianto to visit Vietnam. The Indonesian President accepted the invitation with pleasure, and the visit will be arranged at a mutually convenient time.
