MoU Technology Between Speakers Of Parliament, Puan: RI-Vietnam Relations Like Brothers In ASEAN

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, together with the Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue in Jakarta (ANTARA).

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, held a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly, Vuong Dinh Hue in the context of signing the MoU for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation. Puan said that this collaboration aims to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

The meeting of Puan and Chair of the Vietnam National Assembly, Vuong Dinh Hue took place at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta on Friday, August 4. The arrival of the chairman of the Vietnam Parliament to Indonesia was also to attend the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly (AIPA).

During the meeting, Puan was accompanied by the Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) Fadli Zon, Deputy Chairperson of BKSAP Gilang Dhielafararez, Deputy Chairman of Commission I DPR RI Utut Adianto, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi and Member of BKSAP Riezky Aprilia and Ravindra Airlangga.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue was accompanied by the Chairman of the Vietnam External Relations Committee Vu Hai Ha, the Secretary General of the Vietnam National Assembly Office Bui Van Cuong, the Vietnam Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong and representatives from a number of Vietnamese Ministries.

"On this occasion, Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue and I emphasized the important meaning of cooperation between the two countries, as well as supporting ASEAN solidity in maintaining peace and stability in the region, through the support of parliamentary diplomacy," said Puan.

Bilateral relations between Indonesia and Vietnam that have been going on since 1955 are known to always produce prosperity and prosperity for the people of the two countries. Even in 2022, Indonesia and Vietnam are committed to encouraging an increase in strategic partnerships bilaterally in various aspects.

For this reason, Puan hopes that this MoU will have a real impact on strategic partnerships in various fields. These include trade, investment, clean and renewable energy, and connectivity between the two countries.

"The closeness of Indonesia-Vietnam can also be seen from the friendship between the two fathers of the nation, namely President Sukarno and President Ho Chi Minh. Both friends in this aspect have the same vision and mission to fight colonialism and imperialism on earth," he explained.

Because relations between the two countries have been going on for a long time, Puan believes the cooperation will strengthen the friendship between the DPR RI and the Vietnam National Assembly.

"The relationship between Indonesia and Vietnam is like a relative in ASEAN," said the first woman to serve as chairman of the DPR RI.

Puan also highlighted the issue of the volume of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Vietnam which is increasing higher every year. Seen in 2022, the trade volume of the two countries reached USD 11 billion which is expected to continue to rise every year.

"I support the bilateral trade target set by the Government of USD 15 billion in 2028. In addition, the increase in trade between the two countries can be realized, one of which is by overcoming non-taraffic barriers to bilateral trade," explained Puan.

In addition, in the tourism sector, Puan encourages the expansion of direct flight access between Indonesia and Vietnam where currently there are Ho Chi Minh flights to Jakarta and Bali. In the future, it is being worked on to open flight access for the Jakarta-Hanoi route.

During the meeting, the two MPs also discussed the follow-up to the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary Delimitation Agreement (EEZ). In 2022, Indonesia and Vietnam agreed to complete the Implementing Arrangement and the agreement ratification process.

The Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary Delimitation Agreement (EEZ) is considered very important for politics, security, stability and the economy of the two countries. As the head of the legislative institution, Puan encouraged the ratification process to be accelerated.

"The EEZ delimitation agreement is also proof of the commitment of the two countries to resolve differences through dialogue. Parliament needs to be ratified immediately," he said.

Furthermore, Puan said that the cooperation between parliaments between the two countries would encourage the efforts of Indonesia and Vietnam in dealing with transnational crimes such as illicit narcotics trafficking and IUU Fishing.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also invited the Vietnam National Assembly to jointly create peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia. Because, said Puan, Parliament has a strategic role to play in providing political support and guidance in determining the direction of foreign politics.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly, Vuong Dinh Hue, thanked Puan and other Indonesian House of Representatives entourage. He also remembers the closeness of Vietnam and Indonesia that had existed since the era of President Ho Chi Minh and President Soekarno.

"Hopefully the cooperation between the DPR RI and the Vietnam National Assembly will further strengthen the friendship between Indonesia and Vietnam," said Vuong Dinh Hue.

The cooperation between the Indonesian House of Representatives and the Vietnam National Assembly includes a number of things. Starting from the maritime sector, education to agriculture.

"Even this collaboration encourages later in international forums to jointly support each other between Indonesia and Vietnam," explained Deputy Chairman of the BKSAP DPR RI, Gilang Dhielafararez.