Bangkok (VNA) – Vietnamwill continue working closely with Indonesia to strengthen the bilateralstrategic partnership toward effectiveness, practical outcomes and win-win benefits,said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Minh made the statement at ameeting with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on June 21 onthe sidelines of the ongoing 34th ASEAN Summit and related meetingsin Bangkok, Thailand.

He took the occasion tocongratulate Indonesia on its successful presidential and parliamentaryelections with the impressive victory of President Joko Widodo.

Both ministers praised the recentprogress recorded in bilateral ties and agreed to coordinate in preparation forhigh-level visits and meeting between the two countries, which they considereda foundation to strengthen political trust and cooperation orientations.

They agreed to boostcollaboration between Vietnamese and Indonesian ministries, sectors andlocalities, improving bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and tackling existingproblems in a bid to maintain the development and stability of bilateral ties.

The two ministers exchangedexperience on sustainable economic development, particularly regarding the marineeconomy, saying that cooperation in managing and conserving marine resources isa pillar of the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership.

They also agreed to continuepromoting negotiations to demarcate overlapping exclusive economic zonesbetween the two countries, creating a legal basis to effectively manage theirterritorial waters and fortifying international cooperation.

They consented to collaborate inexchanging information on fishermen and fishing vessels, as well as to settlingdifferences based on the humanitarian spirit, the strategic partnership, and theASEAN solidarity.

They said amid global complicateddevelopments and strong competition among big nations, Vietnam and Indonesianeed to increase mutual support and cooperation in terms of stances andpolicies, particularly in 2020 when both are non-permanent members of the UNSecurity Council and Vietnam takes over the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Concerning the East Sea issue, thetwo ministers were committed to continuing cooperation and sharing stances andviewpoints with each other and with other ASEAN member states to keepsolidarity and common voice, and ensure peace, security and stability in theEast Sea.

They also promised to promote theimplementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC) and speed up the finalisation of a practical, effective, andcomprehensive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.-VNA