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.