Prime Minister meets world leaders on sidelines of ASEAN summits

At their meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Indonesian President Ma'ruf Amin agreed that the two countries will continue strengthening political trust through the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels.

Both sides agreed to boost cooperation across the Party, State, Parliament channels and local-to-local cooperation; promote the role of their bilateral cooperation mechanisms; coordinate in implementing the agreements signed between the two countries and work together to build a new Action Program for the 2024-2028 period, with a focus on accelerating cooperation in the fields of food security, high-tech agriculture, electronic vehicle development, digital economy, green economy, and circular economy.

Prime Minister Pham suggested both sides double efforts to raise the two-way trade to US$18 billion in a more balanced manner and urged Indonesia to continue coordination with Viet Nam in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

He also asked the Indonesian side to provide humanitarian treatment for their fishermen in accordance with the Viet Nam-Indonesia strategic partnership and ASEAN's solidarity spirit.

Pham took the occasion to invite Indonesia to participate in the ASEAN Future Forum and the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Viet Nam in 2025.

At his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pham  expressed thanks to Modi for extending sympathies and providing 35 tons of goods worth US$1 million to help Viet Nam overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi, describing that the move reflects the good affection and the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Pham suggested the two sides soon launch negotiations on a free trade agreement, increase the frequency of direct flights to facilitate trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to continue promoting the exchange of high-level visits and contacts in flexible forms in a bid to further advance the bilateral relations.

Both sides spoke highly of the oucomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane and pledged to continue mutual support and close coordination at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms

The two sides underscored importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and settling disputes through peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

At his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Pham appreciated Australia as one of the first countries to provide assistance for Viet Nam to overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, continue effectively implementing the Viet Nam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), and promote collaboration in security-defense, labour, education-training, agriculture, science-technology, tourism, locality-to-locality connectivity, and people-to-people exchange, among other domains.

Both sides agreed to further instruct ministries and agencies of the two countries to effectively implement the cooperation agreements reached by their leaders over the past time.

Albanese affirmed that Australia attaches importance to strengthening its relationship with Viet Nam, emphasizing that the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership marks a new chapter in the relations.

Australia will continue to prioritise its official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam, particularly in the areas where Viet Nam has demand, such as climate change adaptation, energy transition, digital transformation, and digital economy, Albanese affirmed.

Pham suggested Australia contribute more to promoting dialogue, cooperation, and trust-building through ASEAN-led mechanisms, on the basis of respect for ASEAN's centrality as well as consultation with the bloc.

These efforts would help ensure peace, stability, and development in the region and the world at large, he said, calling on Australia to continue its support for ASEAN's efforts in narrowing the development gap, as well as its assistance to sub-regional cooperation, including the Mekong sub-region./.