Jakarta (VNA) - Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs BuiThanh Son on July 20 paid a courtesy call to Indonesian President Joko Widodoin Jakarta.

Widodo welcomed the official visit of Son during whichhe would co-chair the fourth meeting ofthe Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-4) with Indonesiancounterpart Retno Marsudi in the context that the two countries have justreopened their doors, demonstrating their determination to promote the Vietnam-Indonesiastrategic partnership, especially when the two sides are set to celebrate the10th anniversary of the establishment of this partnership in 2023.

The President also congratulated Vietnam on its importantachievements in the COVID-19 pandemic control and regaining the momentum ofrapid socio-economic development, and especially the successful hosting of the31st SEA Games in May.

The Vietnamese diplomat thanked and conveyed to President Widodothe greetings of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen XuanPhuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior Vietnamese leaders;reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent view that it always attaches importance to andwishes to further develop the strategic partnership with Indonesia.

Vietnam also expressed confidence that Indonesia will successfullyfulfil the presidency of G20, implement the "Indonesia Vision 2045"and become a developed country by the 100th anniversary of its independence in2045.

Son saidthat at the JCBC-4 meeting, he and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi wouldreview what the two sides have been doing to date, difficulties and problemsthat need to be resolved since JCBC-3 held in Hanoi in 2018, as well asproposing directions to strengthen cooperation at both bilateral andmultilateral levels in order to effectively carry out the Action Programme toimplement the strategic partnership between the two countries forthe 2019-2023 period.

He expressed his wish that the President wouldsupport the two sides in promoting the exchange of delegations and contacts atall levels; reducing barriers and promoting trade in a more balanceddirection; signing at the earliest time a Memorandum of Understanding onbilateral rice cooperation for the next four years; removing obstacles andcreating favourable conditions for businesses of the two countries toexpand investment, especially in fields of fisheries, high technology, anddigital economy; providing technical support for and facilitating theimports of Halal products of Vietnamese origin into the Indonesian market.

He also asked the Indonesian authorities to increase the frequencyof flights and consider opening new routes connecting popular touristdestinations between the two countries; continue to closely coordinate toeffectively deal with issues arising at sea.

Son also highly appreciated the cooperation relationship betweenthe two countries at regional and international forums, and affirmed that Vietnamsupports Indonesia in its role as ASEAN Chair in 2023.

Expressing his delight at the increasingly strong and extensivedevelopment of the bilateral cooperation relationship between Vietnam andIndonesia, Widodo suggested that the two sides build an action plan to develop thestrategic partnership for the 2024-2028 period, moving towards the goal of15 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2028; continue to promote economiccooperation, trade and investment ties, and people-to-people exchanges.

The President thanked and asked Son to convey his greetings to thesenior Vietnamese leaders./.