Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto held separate bilateral meetings with Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong and New Zealand Prime Minister Cristopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 2024 APEC Summit in Lima, Peru on Friday, November 15, 2024.
In the first meeting, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong called for the importance of increasing bilateral relationship into comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and Vietnam on the occasion of the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations of the two countries next year.
President Luong also expressed hope that Indonesia would support Vietnam in international forums, such as the United Nations, over legal resolution for regional issues, such as the South China Sea, that has been ratified by the Vietnam National Assembly.
In the economic sector, both Prabowo and President Luong discussed potential cooperation potential to achieve bilateral trade target of US$ 18 million.
“I think both of our countries need to extend our markets and I have requested related ministries to extend ours,” President Luong said as quoted in a statement on Friday, November 15, 2024.
On the other hand, President Prabowo highlighted the history of Vietnam’s struggle against colonialism and reiterated the importance of strong relationship of the two countries.
He emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to accelerate the ratification of the economic exclusive zone agreement and to settle the implementing regulations.
“Our economic cooperation is excellent and we want to strengthen the cooperation in the future,“ Prabowo concluded.
In the second meeting with Prime Minister Cristopher Luxon of New Zealand, President Prabowo reiterated his commitment to strengthen strategic relationship between Indonesia and New Zealand that has already been well established.
“We are in the same region and have common values and interests. I would like to reiterate commitment to continue this good relationship, increase cooperation and friendship of both countries,” Prabowo said.
He also delivered Indonesia’s readiness to strengthen bilateral trade relationship, open the market and increase Indonesia’s involvement in Pacific countries’ forums.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Luxon praised Indonesia’s constructive role in ASEAN and the world, highlighting achievement in two-way trade that have tripled since 2018.
New Zealand and Indonesia, he said, also have opportunities for cooperations in renewable energy, food security and tourism.
Prime Minister Luxon also appreciated Indonesia’s cooperation in resolving highly sensitive issues, including the release of New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens.
