VN, Indonesia head to equal trade balance

VGP – PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo asserted the determination to boosting economic cooperation and raising the bilateral trade to US$10 billion by 2020 towards an equal trade balance at their meeting on September 12 in Ha Noi.

September 13, 2018 10:26 AM GMT+7

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Ha Noi, September 12, 2018 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

The two leaders expressed their delight at the positive development of the Viet　Nam-Indonesia strategic partnership　and　the signing of an action program　on the implementation of the strategic partnership for the 2019-2023　period, towards celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2023.　

President Widodo welcomed Viet　Nam’s export of agro-forestry-fishery products, steel, and electronic products to Indonesia.

The two sides　agreed to devise a suitable mechanism to promptly handle troubles and suggestions from businesses of both sides, facilitating bilateral investment.　

They　consented to accelerate negotiations on the demarcation of the exclusive economic zones between the two countries in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the　Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), creating more opportunities for enhancing maritime and fishery cooperation between the two sides. 　

The two leaders pledged　to cooperate closely to limit illegal fishing, committing to handling　issue of arrested fishermen and fishing vessels　in a　humanitarian spirit and in accordance with the two countries’ friendship and international law.

President Widodo announced to　return 155 Vietnamese fishermen who are currently　being detained in the country.

Both the host and the guest consented　to increase consultations on regional and　international issues, join hand　to build a united, self-reliant ASEAN, and enhance ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture.　

They reiterated their consistent stance on the East Sea issue; ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation; settlement of disputes through peaceful measures and in line with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS; full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and acceleration of negotiations on a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).　

By Thuy Dung