Viet Nam, Indonesia encourage airlines to increase air routes, flight frequency

Retno welcomed Bui to Indonesia, saying is of significant importance as both countries have reopened borders following the COVID-19 pandemic, which provides an opportunity for the sides to discuss measures to promote bilateral cooperation across fields.

Bui emphasized that the meeting is indicative of the two countries' determination to further strengthen their strategic partnership.

He congratulated Indonesia on its achievements in COVID-19 containment and socio-economic development, wishing Indonesia to successfully fulfill its role as President of the G20 this year.

Bui also affirmed Viet Nam will coordinate closely with Indonesia when it holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.

The two ministers noted with pleasure that the relationship between Viet Nam and Indonesia has advanced extensively and effectively, particularly since the two countries elevated ties to strategic partnership in June 2013.

Despite the pandemic, both sides still flexibly maintained high-level contacts and exchanges, in both in-person and virtual formats, contributing to increasing trust and political ties.

They were pleased to witness the remarkable growth of bilateral trade, reaching US$11.5 billion in 2021, up 40 percent from the previous year, and exceeding the goal of US$10 billion set out in the action plan to implement the strategic partnership for the 2019-2023 period. The figure rose by 24 percent to US$6.9 billion in the first six months this year.

Defense and security cooperation remain positive thanks to fruitful implementation of the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation for 2017-2022 and regular maintenance of cooperation mechanisms between the two defense ministries.

Both sides have promoted cooperation in other important areas like agriculture, fisheries, energy, aviation, culture, education training and tourism are given due attention, contributing to deepening friendly relations and cooperation between Viet Nam and Indonesia.

The two ministers agreed to continue coordination in stepping up exchanges and contacts, maintain and promote the role of the current cooperation mechanisms, encourage the resumption of art troupes and people-to-people exchanges when the two countries celebrate the 10th founding anniversary of strategic partnership in 2023.

They agreed to continue effective implementation of the aforesaid Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation, sharing information and working together in combatting transnational crime such as terrorism, illegal transport of wild life, and high tech crime.

To realize the trade goal of US$15 billion by 2028, both sides agreed to soon organize the 8th meeting of the Joint Committee on Trade and Science and Technology, create favorable conditions for enterprises of the two countries to do business, conduct import and export activities; seek opportunities to expand and diversify investment, especially in potential fields such as fisheries, infrastructure construction, renewable energy, and digital transformation.

Bui suggested that the two countries should work together to handle the risk of a global food crisis, and that Indonesia limit the application of trade remedies to Vietnamese exports; soon sign a memorandum of understanding on bilateral trade cooperation in the field of rice for the next four years; at the same time providing technical support for and facilitating the imports of Halal products of Vietnamese origin into Indonesia.

The two ministers also agreed to encourage airlines to increase frequency of flights and consider opening more air routes connecting tourist destinations of the two countries, advance cooperation to enhance understanding, cultural exchange, trade and tourism between the two countries' localities, especially sister localities, along with student exchange.

Comparing notes on regional and international issues of shared concerns, the two ministers highly valued the two countries' coordination at multilateral organizations and forums, contributing to strengthening solidarity and the central role of ASEAN, the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region as well as in the world.

Both sides pledged to continue strengthening coordination and mutual support within the frameworks of ASEAN, the United Nations, and other regional and international mechanisms.

The diplomats reaffirmed support for sustaining solidarity and agreed-upon principles of ASEAN in the East Sea issue, in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./.