VN-Indonesia relationship contributes to ASEAN development: diplomat

Jakarta (VNA) – Vietnam-Indonesia relationship has effectively contributed to the common development of the ASEAN Community, said outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan.

Tuan met with high-ranking Indonesian officials in Jakarta on the occasion of the end of his term as the Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia and the assumption of his new position as Deputy Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  

He told Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla that the visits by high-ranking leaders of the two countries over the past time, including the visit to Indonesia by Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in August 2017 and Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s attendance in the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang in November, contributed to tightening the bilateral solidarity.

At a meeting with Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Tuan said the minister’s visit to Vietnam in October 2017 has helped boost cooperation in defence and security between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese official and Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita shared the view that two-way trade has yet to match the two countries’ potential although it grew by 16 percent in 2017.

The two countries are stepping up efforts to enhance the bilateral economic and trade ties, especially in auto manufacturing, they said.

The Indonesian hosts said the friendship and solidarity between Indonesia and Vietnam are developing strongly and pragmatically, contributing to property and development of each country as well as promoting their role within ASEAN forums.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed his hope that Tuan, in his new position as ASEAN Deputy Secretary General, will make more contributions to the bilateral ties as well as the development of the ASEAN Community.-VNA