Speaker of the Indonesian House Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani welcomes President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta (22/12/2022). Photo: Runi/Man

Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani received the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Jakarta on 22 December 2022. A number of issues were discussed at the bilateral meeting, including the newly agreed boundaries of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Indonesia and Vietnam.

In the meeting, the Speaker was accompanied by Vice Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP), Gilang Dhiela Fararez, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdy, and Secretary General of the House Indra Iskandar. Meanwhile, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the meeting with some of his ministers and the Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Ta Van Thong.

Upon arriving at the Nusantara Hall, the President wrote his message in the guest book. A photo session of the Vietnamese delegation with Speaker Maharani and Members of the Indonesian House delegates was held afterwards.

"I welcome Your Excellency President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Indonesian House of Representatives. The construction of the House was initiated by the Indonesia's first President Soekarno in 1965. The building reflects the flapping of a bird's wings as it gets ready to fly," said Maharani in her welcome remarks.

The first female Speaker of the House also recounted the history behind the construction of the House iconic building, locally known as the "turtle" building. According to her, the building was constructed to host CONEFO (Conference of New Emerging Forces) as the new, alternative power center to the "old-established forces".

“North Vietnam, at that time, was also part of CONEFO. So, I hope your visit to the Indonesian House can be a key factor to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam, including inter-parliamentary cooperation," said the Granddaughter of the Indonesian Proclaimer of Independence Bung Karno.

Maharani added that the Indonesia-Vietnam diplomatic relation has continued to develop rapidly since its establishment in 1955. The close relations are said to have developed since the independence of both countries, indicated by the close relationship between the founding fathers of the two countries, President Sukarno and President Ho Chi Minh.

“Both presidents were close friends who shared the same vision and ideology, as well as views on patriotism, anti-imperialism, and emphasis on the struggle of people in the grassroots. Each of them succeeded in resisting colonialism in Indonesia and Vietnam," said Maharani.

"I heard President Sukarno referred to him (President Ho Chi Min) as 'Uncle Ho', and he admired Uncle Ho's simple appearance, who was dressed like ordinary Vietnamese," added the first female Speaker of the Indonesian House.

Maharani also reminded President Sukarno and President Ho Chi Minh that they visited each other several times during their time as state leaders. During his state visit in 1959, the people of Vietnam even took to the streets to welcome President Sukarno.

"The close relationship between the founders of our two countries in the past can be a capital for the development of bilateral relations today and in the future," added the Speaker of the House.

In the meeting, the Speaker expressed her appreciation for the finalized negotiations on the Indonesia-Vietnam EEZ boundaries. The EEZ agreement was one of the outcomes of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the same day. Previously, the negotiation had been on the table for 12 years.

"I fully welcome the finalization of negotiations on the boundaries of the Exclusive Economic Zone through your visit to Indonesia. I hope that the completion of these negotiations can become a momentum to further strengthen relations between our two countries," added the House Speaker.

Moreover, Speaker Maharani stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation as the world is currently experiencing a crisis mode since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. In addressing these challenges, the Speaker encouraged more international cooperation, including bilateral cooperation such as one between Indonesia-Vietnam.

"The two countries can strengthen bilateral cooperation to contribute to efforts to overcome shared challenges to world stability and global economic growth," she asserted.

Not only that, inter-parliamentary cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam can also be expected to be promoted even further. According to Maharani, inter-parliamentary cooperation can add value to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"Inter-parliamentary cooperation will add to the solid bilateral cooperation between our two countries, especially in promoting democratic values and governance in the region," Maharani argued.

The House Speaker's discussion with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc also touched on the issue of strengthening Indonesia-Vietnam trade economic cooperation considering Vietnam's position as Indonesia's 9th largest global trading partner in the world, and 4th at ASEAN level.

"Amid the disruption of the global supply chain, we need to seize opportunities to promote economic and trade relations between our two countries," said Maharani.

"I also encourage endeavours to strengthen cooperation in the manufacturing sector, industrialization, maritime affairs and fisheries, as well as digital economy," she continued.

In addition to cooperation in trade and transportation sectors, collaborative projects in the hospitality industry can also be further improved. Speaker Maharani said the tourism sector was an important part of economic growth in post-COVID-19 recovery.

"Indonesia has a number of leading tourist destinations that Vietnamese tourists can enjoy. I do hope that we will see an increase in Vietnamese tourists in the future," she added.

On the other hand, Maharani appreciated Vietnam's shared views with Indonesia on the importance of a peaceful, safe, stable, and inclusive Indo-Pacific as outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. According to her, maritime cooperation -- as part of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific -- is vital to achieving regional security.

"In line with the ASEAN Outlook, cooperation may include the promotion of maritime safety and security, and joint efforts in addressing transnational crime," Maharani argued.

In the discussion, Maharani also expressed her hope for Vietnam's support for Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023. In the same year, the Indonesian House will also assume presidency of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

"Through this meeting, I look forward to your support for Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN and the Indonesian House's presidency of AIPA," stated Maharani.

"Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN and the House's presidency of AIPA are expected to help create regional stability and economic growth in Southeast Asia, and contribute to overcoming various global challenges," she said.

Through the meeting, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc invited the House Speaker, together with the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, to visit Vietnam.

“It turns out President Megawati is a close friend of the Vietnamese President. Therefore, I thank and appreciate his visit to Indonesia, which is highly beneficial to both the Indonesian House and to our two countries," said Speaker Maharani to journalists following the meeting.

To the House Speaker, the President of Vietnam conveyed his hopes for strengthened relations between the Vietnam and Indonesia. He shared that promotion of bilateral relations can be started with cooperation in the economic, tourism, and maritime sectors, followed by collaboration in promoting peace in the ASEAN region.

"He (President of Vietnam) believed together we can work towards safeguarding peace and prosperity of the people in the ASEAN region without difficulties." Maharani concluded. (ann/rdn)