Ambassador Ta Van Thong highlights significance of Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung's visit to Indonesia
WVR - Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong affirmed that the official visit to Indonesia by Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, who co-chaired the 6th Meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, is a concrete step to continue the strong development momentum and realize the strategic visions agreed upon by the high-level leaders of both countries.
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| General Secretary To Lam and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held a press conference, officially announcing the upgrade of Vietnam-Indonesia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Indonesia in March 2025. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
Ambassador, could you share the significance and key focuses of Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung's official visit to Indonesia this time?
The visit of Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung takes place in a particularly important context, right after the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025. This is a concrete step to continue the strong development momentum and realize the strategic visions agreed upon by the high-level leaders of both countries.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia) |
The main focus of this visit is to strengthen political trust at the highest level and create new momentum for cooperation across all channels: Party, Government, and National Assembly.
This is also an opportunity for both sides to review and initiate action programs to realize the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework agreed upon during General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Indonesia in March 2025.
The visit reaffirms Vietnam's consistent policy of valuing traditional friendship and the desire to make bilateral cooperation increasingly substantive, serving the practical interests of the people of both countries.
The 6th Meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) will focus on which priorities, and what are your expectations for the outcomes of the session regarding the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership after more than a year of establishment?
The 6th JCBC session is a key "coordination mechanism" to implement specific cooperation contents within the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. We prioritize reviewing and effectively promoting the implementation of the Action Program for the 2026 - 2030 period.
My greatest expectation is that the session will achieve substantive results in: (i) Removing barriers: Negotiating to remove non-trade barriers and creating favorable conditions for businesses from both countries to better access each other's markets; (ii) Security and Defense: Continuing to deepen cooperation in defense, security, and maritime cooperation, including the implementation of the Exclusive Economic Zone delimitation agreement; (iii) People-to-people exchanges: Promoting infrastructure connectivity, increasing the frequency of direct flights to surpass the 120,000 tourist threshold of 2024.
Indonesia is currently Vietnam's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN. How do you assess the potential for cooperation between the two sides in emerging economic fields?
The potential between the two countries is enormous as we possess strategic complementary strengths. With the goal of reaching a bilateral trade turnover of 18 billion USD by 2028, emerging economic fields will be the main growth drivers.
Specifically, the two countries are focusing on key areas, firstly, the electric vehicle ecosystem: With iconic projects like VinFast's 1.2 billion USD factory and the presence of Xanh SM in Indonesia, both sides are deeply involved in the global green supply chain. Secondly, green economy and energy transition: Cooperation in carbon storage, renewable energy development, and implementing commitments to net-zero emissions.
Thirdly, the Halal industry: This is a vast area for Vietnam's agricultural and aquatic products to penetrate deeply into the Indonesian market and the Islamic world. Fourthly, digital economy and high-tech agriculture: Applying technology to enhance productivity and ensure regional food security.
As two proactive members in ASEAN, how do you think Vietnam-Indonesia cooperation can contribute to the shared development vision of the Association?
With a total population accounting for 60% and leading economic potential in ASEAN, the close cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia is the "anchor" for the region's stability and development.
This connection contributes to ASEAN in three aspects: Firstly, strengthening the central role: Both countries always coordinate positions at multilateral forums, maintaining ASEAN's unity and solidarity in the regional structure. Secondly, enhancing economic resilience: Promoting bilateral trade and new supply chains (such as electric vehicles) helps ASEAN withstand global fluctuations. Thirdly, realizing the Community vision: In 2025, marking 30 years of Vietnam's ASEAN membership, we have closely coordinated with Indonesia to implement initiatives like the ASEAN Future Forum, contributing to building a cohesive and strong community.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
