RI, Vietnam agree to cooperate in combating terrorism, sea piracy
RI, Vietnam agree to cooperate in combating terrorism, sea piracy
Reiner Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi
The governments of Indonesia and Vietnam agreed here on Monday to
boost cooperation in preventing and combating transnational
crimes, including terrorism and piracy on the seas.
The agreement was reached during bilateral talks led by
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vietnam President Tran Duc
Luong.
A memorandum of understanding on the cooperation was signed at
Vietnam's presidential palace.
The two governments also inked another deal in the education
sector. No details of either agreement were disclosed, however.
Susilo met Luong on a three-day state visit to Vietnam after a
four-day working visit to the United States last week. He was
expected to fly to Tokyo later on Monday night, the final
destination in a quick three-nation tour.
In Hanoi, both presidents discussed ways to boost relations
between the two countries. Susilo also invited President Luong to
visit Indonesia.
"As two nations with strong historical relations and which
maintain their status as independent-minded countries, we have
discussed strategic issues that will increase relations and
cooperation," said Susilo, who received a red carpet welcome at
the palace on his first visit to the country since taking office
in October.
The presidents also agreed to improve political and diplomatic
communications by setting up a high-level forum of ministers to
discuss strategic issues in the region, including security.
Economic cooperation, meanwhile, will focus on trade and
investment activities, particularly in air services, energy, and
tourism.
Two-way trade between the two Southeast Asian countries
increased from US$700 million in 2001 to over $1.1 billion last
year. Since 1990, Indonesian companies have invested $315 million
in Vietnam, according to Vietnamese government data.
There are also plans to expand the existing military
cooperation with Vietnam, including in the area of defense
industries, and the training and education of military officers.
"We have also agreed to play a positive role in the regional
and global arena by way of cooperating with major countries such
as China, Japan, India, European Union and the U.S.," Susilo
said.
Indonesia backed Vietnam's bid to become the host of the next
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2007, and to
become non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the
year 2009/2009, while Vietnam supported Indonesia's bid to become
a non-permanent member in 2007/2008, Susilo said.
"Indonesia also fully supports Vietnam's bid to become formal
member of the WTO," said Susilo.
Later in the day, Susilo addressed a business gathering
organized by the Indonesian and Vietnamese chambers of commerce
and industry and witnessed Indonesian and Vietnamese companies
sign seven MOUs.
Earlier, Susilo laid a wrath at the mausoleum of Vietnam's
founding president Ho Chi Minh.
Indonesia established diplomatic ties with North Vietnam in
1955, during the communist country's civil war with the south. Ho
Chi Minh visited Indonesia in February 1959 and four months later
received president Sukarno.
Reiner Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi
The governments of Indonesia and Vietnam agreed here on Monday to
boost cooperation in preventing and combating transnational
crimes, including terrorism and piracy on the seas.
The agreement was reached during bilateral talks led by
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vietnam President Tran Duc
Luong.
A memorandum of understanding on the cooperation was signed at
Vietnam's presidential palace.
The two governments also inked another deal in the education
sector. No details of either agreement were disclosed, however.
Susilo met Luong on a three-day state visit to Vietnam after a
four-day working visit to the United States last week. He was
expected to fly to Tokyo later on Monday night, the final
destination in a quick three-nation tour.
In Hanoi, both presidents discussed ways to boost relations
between the two countries. Susilo also invited President Luong to
visit Indonesia.
"As two nations with strong historical relations and which
maintain their status as independent-minded countries, we have
discussed strategic issues that will increase relations and
cooperation," said Susilo, who received a red carpet welcome at
the palace on his first visit to the country since taking office
in October.
The presidents also agreed to improve political and diplomatic
communications by setting up a high-level forum of ministers to
discuss strategic issues in the region, including security.
Economic cooperation, meanwhile, will focus on trade and
investment activities, particularly in air services, energy, and
tourism.
Two-way trade between the two Southeast Asian countries
increased from US$700 million in 2001 to over $1.1 billion last
year. Since 1990, Indonesian companies have invested $315 million
in Vietnam, according to Vietnamese government data.
There are also plans to expand the existing military
cooperation with Vietnam, including in the area of defense
industries, and the training and education of military officers.
"We have also agreed to play a positive role in the regional
and global arena by way of cooperating with major countries such
as China, Japan, India, European Union and the U.S.," Susilo
said.
Indonesia backed Vietnam's bid to become the host of the next
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2007, and to
become non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the
year 2009/2009, while Vietnam supported Indonesia's bid to become
a non-permanent member in 2007/2008, Susilo said.
"Indonesia also fully supports Vietnam's bid to become formal
member of the WTO," said Susilo.
Later in the day, Susilo addressed a business gathering
organized by the Indonesian and Vietnamese chambers of commerce
and industry and witnessed Indonesian and Vietnamese companies
sign seven MOUs.
Earlier, Susilo laid a wrath at the mausoleum of Vietnam's
founding president Ho Chi Minh.
Indonesia established diplomatic ties with North Vietnam in
1955, during the communist country's civil war with the south. Ho
Chi Minh visited Indonesia in February 1959 and four months later
received president Sukarno.