Indonesia and Vietnam are indispensable partners: Indonesian Ambassador

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi. (Photo: WVR)

To attend the reception, there were Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Vice Chairman of the Central Commission for External Relations, Communist Party of Vietnam Truong Quang Hoai Nam, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization Nguyễn Phương Nga; representatives from Ministries; Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Corps and international organisations in Vietnam.

To deliver the opening remarks at the reception, Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi said that, during the past 77 years, through many ups and downs, Indonesia has increasingly got recognition in regional and global leadership as the world's fourth most populous nation and the third largest democracy with strong economic growth.

“Building a nation with more than 17,000 islands is not an easy task. But Indonesians are united in our endeavor to progress and ensure the well-being of the people. We are thankful that Indonesia can achieve its position and prestige today”, he said.

“Indispensable partners”

With regard to the relations between Indonesia and Vietnam, Ambassador Denny Abdi said that, over the past 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, the two countries have joined hands to promote the advancement of bilateral ties, witnessed rapid improvement towards the prosperity of both nations, and jointly contributed to promoting regional peace and stability.

Ambassador Denny Abdi said that Indonesia and Vietnam are indispensable partners. (Photo: WVR)

The Ambassador noted high-level exchanges despite limitations caused by the pandemic, such as the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first foreign visit to Indonesia for the ASEAN Leaders' Gathering and the bilateral meeting with President Joko Widodo in April 2021 and the telephone conversation between President Widodo and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in July 2021, in which both leaders made commitment to further strengthen relations.

He also emphasized the collaboration in security and defense areas and the exchange of visits, exercises, education, and training programs between agencies in both countries that have been enhanced at all levels.

The solid cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam can also be seen in trade relations, with bilateral trade exceeding the target of 10 billion US dollars, reaching 11.5 billion in 2021, he added.

Referring to the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in Jakarta last month, the Ambassador stated that both sides agreed to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, boost economic growth and people-to-people contacts, and maintain Southeast Asia as a region of peace, stability, and prosperity.

Both Foreign Ministers welcomed the new bilateral trade target of 15 billion US dollars by 2028. They also agreed to expedite the finalization of the Plan of Action 2024-2028 as guidance for our bilateral cooperation going forward, said the diplomat.

According to the Ambassador, next year, Indonesia and Vietnam will mark a decade of our Strategic Partnership. “Indonesia and Vietnam have forged profound relations beyond bilateral cooperation. Both countries closely cooperate on regional and international issues. Indonesia and Vietnam are indispensable partners,” he said.

“Together, we are committed to supporting ASEAN Centrality, keeping ASEAN in the driver's seat in shaping regional order. In addressing current and future challenges, I hope to work with Vietnam and other ASEAN member states to elevate ASEAN so that it can contribute more to the region and the world.”

“An invaluable asset”

In his welcoming remarks, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said that the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia seventy-seven years ago by the late President Sukarno was "a historic moment". Indonesia today is known not only for its rich and diverse culture, its strong economy, and for being a destination of choice for tourists, but also well-known for its success story of national reconciliation and for building a dynamic economy.

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu delivers his welcoming remarks at the reception. (Photo: WVR)

"Today, Indonesia has the largest economy in ASEAN and the 16th largest in the world. You are one of the regional leaders, home and host to the ASEAN Secretariat - the largest regional organization. And your visions continue to encompass not just yourself, but the region, and serve as inspiration for us all, to work together, to achieve common goals for mutual development," he said.

"For the past two years, you have done remarkable work to contain COVID-19, foster socio-economic development and stabilize people's livelihood. This year, you are on the way to successfully fulfilling your role as the G20 President for the first time. This is testimony to a resilient, united and motivated Indonesia that not only can overcome adversities but also turn challenges into drivers for growth and development."

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Vietnam and Indonesia are natural partners, sharing much in terms of cultural background, historical circumstances, geo-strategic locations, and intertwined interests in the region and the world.

"The root of our modern bond was planted by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Sukarno, and it has been well nurtured by successive generations of our respective leadership and people. It is an invaluable asset and the cornerstone of our Strategic Partnership today", he said.

Despite the complex turbulence of the world and the region, Vietnam and Indonesia have enjoyed an excellent relationship that continues to grow deeper and more effective in bilateral and multilateral settings, he added.

Noting that the age of the digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution promise to be the setting for the future of the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia, the official stated that the two countries' shared interests and vision for security, prosperity and sustainable development in the region are "key factors" fueling continuous bilateral ties and feed into the aspirations for a peaceful, united, and prosperous future for the ASEAN Community amidst comprehensive and profound changes that can bring about opportunities that are interwoven with challenges.

The late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh dedicated a verse to President Sukarno, embodying the bond between our two countries:

Quoted the verse dedicated by President Ho Chi Minh to President Sukarno during his visit to Vietnam in 1959, the Deputy Foreign Minister expressed his belief that these words still ring true over 60 years onward:

"Distant are our countries, not so are our hearts

Fond friends and brothers are we true".

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi came into the hall with the ‘Paskibraka’ or flag-bearer team. (Photo: WVR)

Participants in the flag salute ceremony. (Photo: WVR)

Representatives from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City and Staff of the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi take a group photo.

Representatives of the reception in group photos. (Photo: WVR)

The song "Vietnam, my homeland" is performed in Vietnamese by Indonesian singers. (Photo: WVR)