Vietnam's PM to visit RI to discuss cooperation

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 08/07/2007 12:48 PM

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Newly reelected Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tang Dung will meet Wednesday with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta to discuss ways to improve bilateral cooperation during a two-day visit to the country.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry's director for East Asia and Pacific affairs, Yuri Thamrin, confirmed the Vietnamese prime minister and several members of his cabinet will arrive in the capital Wednesday.

""As a newly reelected prime minister he is aiming to familiarize himself with neighboring countries, including Indonesia. He will use the opportunity to discuss ways to enhance Vietnam-Indonesia relations in various fields,"" he told The Jakarta Post.

Vietnam's new National Assembly reelected Dung on July 25. He has won praise for his tough stance on corruption and support for economic reforms.

Dung, a 57-year-old conservative southerner with an army and police background as well as experience in economic affairs, has been the communist nation's prime minister since he was elected at last year's party congress.

Trade relations between Indonesia and Vietnam have been positive over the last five years, with the trade value increasing on average by more than 26 percent each year.

Trade between the countries reached US$1.9 billion last year, with a $205 million trade deficit on Vietnam's part.

Aside from discussing ways to improve cooperation in the areas of bilateral trade and investment, Yuri said both leaders would discuss issues such as defense, climate change, avian influenza and illegal fishing.

Both Indonesia and Vietnam have been hit by avian influenza outbreaks during the last two years, while Indonesia is gearing up to host a UN climate change meeting in December in Bali.

With Indonesia seeking support for its proposals at the meeting, including the establishment of a global fund for reforestation programs, Vietnam could be a potential ally.

Both countries are also currently facing problems in the area of illegal fishing. Declining stocks of fish in the South China Sea have forced fishing crews from Vietnam and elsewhere to sail deeper into international waters into areas claimed by other countries, including Indonesia.

On July 19, an Indonesian Navy ship allegedly fired at and detained a Vietnamese fishing vessel. Two Vietnamese fishermen were killed in the incident.

Both leaders will likely discuss the incident during their meeting, as Vietnam recently announced it will ask Indonesia to provide compensation.

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