At the meeting, President Widodo spoke highlyof Vietnam’s careful preparations for the WEF ASEAN 2018, which served as afoundation for the success of the event. He added that it is an important event,offering huge opportunities for the development and application of creativeindustries and digital technology.
The two leaders expressed their delight at thepositive development of the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership in the fiveyears since its establishment. They also lauded the signing of an actionprogramme on the implementation of the strategic partnership for the 2019-2023period, towards celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of thestrategic partnership in 2023.
Both leaders affirmed their determination tofully tap the two nations’ potential in economic cooperation in order to bring bilateraltrade to 10 billion USD in 2020 and towards an equal trade balance. President Widodowelcomed Vietnam’s export of agro-forestry-fishery products, steel, andelectronic products to Indonesia.
The two leaders also agreed to devise asuitable mechanism to promptly handle troubles and suggestions from businessesof both sides, creating favourable conditions for bilateral investment.
PM Phuc and President Widodo consented toaccelerate negotiations on the demarcation of the exclusive economic zonesbetween the two countries in line with international law, especially the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
The two sides promised to cooperate closely tolimit illegal fishing and affirmed that the issue of arrested fishermen andfishing vessels should be handled in a humanitarian spirit and in accordancewith the two countries’ friendship and international law. On this occasion,President Widodo said Indonesia will return 155 Vietnamese fishermen who are currentlybeing detained in the country.
The two leaders agreed to increase consultationson regional and international issues, coordinate to build a united, self-reliantASEAN, and enhance ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture.
They reiterated their consistent stance on theEast Sea issue; ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom ofnavigation and aviation; settlement of disputes through peaceful measures andin line with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS; full andeffective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theEast Sea, and acceleration of negotiations on a practical and effective Code ofConduct in the East Sea (COC).–VNA