Vietnam marks National Day, diplomatic ties with Indonesia

Art performance marks Vietnam's National Day (Photo: VNA)

The event brought together some 400 representatives from the Indonesian parliament, government and ministries, the diplomatic corp. and the Vietnamese community.

Ambassador Nguyen Xuan Thuy highlighted the significance of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2) as well as the remarkable achievements that the Vietnamese Party, State and people has gained in the cause of national independence, reform and development.

He noted that Vietnam has implemented successfully the “open-door” policy to become an active and responsible member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addition to regional and global organisations such as the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

In ASEAN, Vietnam has established strategic partnership with four ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, thus substantially contributing to the establishment of the ASEAN Community, he said.

Furthermore, Vietnam has become an attractive destination of foreign direct investment (FDI) with the total registered FDI of around 257 billion USD, he said, adding that the country is pushing ahead with international integration.

The Ambassador described 2015 as a special year for Vietnam and Indonesia since the two countries are celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties which were founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno and then nurtured by generations of leaders and people.

He confirmed that the Vietnamese Government and people will spare no efforts to elevate the friendship with Indonesia to a new strategic height, for the sake of the two peoples and the establishment of a strong, solid and thriving ASEAN.

In a speech at the event, Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly expressed his pleasure at the growing cooperation between the two nations across politics, economics, culture, education and humanitarian aid activities, as well as their mutual support at Asia-Pacific and international forums.

He said he believed the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia will be expanded for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia organised a photo exhibition highlighting important milestones in the 60-year diplomatic ties between the two countries.-VNA