Jokowi Meets The Speaker Of The Vietnam Parliament To Discuss EEZ And Trade

President Joko Widodo received an honorary visit from the Speaker of the Vietnam Parliament Vuong Dinh Hue and a delegation at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (7/8/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Chairman of the Vietnam Parliament Vuong Dinh Hue in a meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, discussed various matters such as the border of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the trade targets of the two countries, to renewable energy.

"Mr. President said that it had been completed, the negotiations (EEZ) had been completed, it was time for the agreement to be ratified. Therefore, the President asked for support from the parliament for the ratification process," said Foreign Minister (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Retno Marsudi after President Jokowi received an honorary visit from the Speaker of the Vietnam Parliament and the delegation, as quoted from a statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 7.

The second issue discussed by President Jokowi and Vuong Dinh Hue, said Retno, was regarding trade and investment issues. The Foreign Minister explained that the trade value of Indonesia-Vietnam was very good, including the visible value of bilateral trade which had reached 14.2 billion US dollars in 2023.

"Both sides believe that the target of 15 billion US dollars will definitely be achieved because of its target of 15 billion US dollars by 2028," said Retno.

To achieve this target, President Jokowi requested that trade barriers, including non-tariff barriers, be eliminated, especially for pharmaceutical and sugar products from Indonesia.

As for investment, Retno explained that Vietnam said its commitment to continue to improve the investment environment system.

The third issue discussed by President Jokowi and Chairman of the Vietnam Parliament is about renewable energy. Jokowi said that the role of parliament is very important so that the government can accelerate the energy transition.

"As for ASEAN, Vietnam said it fully supports the chairmanship of Indonesia," said Retno.

When opening the meeting, President Jokowi again emphasized the important role of parliament as a reflection of people's representation.

"Parliament is a reflection of the representation of the people and the people is the focus of ASEAN's work as mandated by the ASEAN Charter," said Retno.