Hanoi (VNA) - State President Luong Cuong hosted separate receptions for the Ambassadors of Indonesia and Singapore, who paid farewell calls at the end of their terms in Vietnam.
At the reception for Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi, President Cuong congratulated the diplomat on his successful tenure in Vietnam, with significant contributions to advancing bilateral relations.
He reaffirmed that the relationship with Indonesia plays an important role in Vietnam's foreign policy.
Bilateral ties, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno, have been nurtured by generations of leaders and citizens of both nations, he noted, adding that over the past 70 years, the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries have grown comprehensively across all fields, including politics, economy, trade, investment, tourism, defence and security.
The President congratulated Ambassador Denny Abdi on his new appointment as Secretary-General of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing his hope that in any position, the ambassador would continue to foster the friendship and cooperation for the benefits of the two peoples, as well as for regional and global peace, stability and development.
For his part, Ambassador Denny Abdi expressed his belief that amid complex regional and global developments, Vietnam and Indonesia, as close friends and active ASEAN members, will continue to contribute to promoting solidarity and cooperation within the bloc.
Agreeing with the ambassador, President Cuong emphasised that deepening bilateral ties would not only serve the interests of both peoples but also reinforce ASEAN’s cohesion, unity and centrality.
He suggested that the two countries continue to strengthen political trust, promote all-level delegation exchanges and effectively implement existing agreements. He called for the early development of a 2025-2030 Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, aiming to raise bilateral trade to 18 billion USD by 2028.
The President also encouraged stronger defence and security cooperation and policies to facilitate business and investment in each other’s areas of strength and demand.
He affirmed that Vietnam and Indonesia will continue to coordinate closely and support each other at regional and international forums, particularly ASEAN, the UN and APEC, upholding international law, while continuing to strengthen collaboration to reinforce the grouping's central role. The two sides pledged to support ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea, and promote negotiations on an efficient and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Receiving Singaporean Ambassador Jaya Ratnam, President Cuong congratulated him on a successful term and commended his important contributions to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Vietnamese State leader spoke highly of the close and trusted political ties between the two nations, reflected in frequent high-level and all-level visits and contacts across all Party, State, Government and parliamentary channels.
He noted that bilateral cooperation mechanisms have proved effective, while people-to-people exchanges have become increasingly vibrant. Two-way trade had maintained steady growth, now reaching nearly 9 billion USD, and bilateral cooperation has made strong progress under the Green and Digital Economy Partnership.
He highlighted Singapore’s position as a leading investor of Vietnam, with the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) network standing as a model of successful economic cooperation.
Affirming Vietnam’s commitment to deepening ties with Singapore, one of its key economic partners, President Cuong suggested that both sides step up delegation exchanges, enhance coordination, and soon finalise the 2025-2030 Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He also called for stronger collaboration in defence and security, science and technology, digital transformation, green transition, culture, education and human resources development, to sustain the positive momentum of trade and investment ties.
In the face of global uncertainties, the President stressed the importance of close coordination and mutual support between the two countries at regional and international forums. He urged joint efforts to uphold ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), helping to maintain an ASEAN region of peace, stability, cooperation and mutual development.
Ambassador Jaya Ratnam expressed his delight to witness Vietnam’s impressive progress in recent years. He praised Vietnam’s resilience and solidarity, congratulating the country on becoming one of the world’s top 30 economies with strong socio-economic and human development achievements.
He commended Vietnam for successfully hosting the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), describing it as a clear demonstration of Vietnam’s growing international reputation and role.
Sharing the Vietnamese leader's assessments of bilateral ties, Ambassador Jaya Ratnam expressed his belief that the 2025-2030 Action Programme will open a new phase of deeper and more effective cooperation. He affirmed that the strong political trust between the two countries’ leaders remains the key foundation for further strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to ASEAN’s solidarity and prosperity./.
