The meeting was in the framework of the state visit to Indonesia and the official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat by Party General Secretary To Lam, his wife and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam.
At the event, Gen. Giang expressed his delight at the comprehensive, trusted and practical development of the Vietnam-Indonesia relations since the establishment of the diplomatic ties 70 years ago. He emphasized that the upgrade of the two countries’ ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during this visit is a historical milestone in the bilateral relations, showing the two sides’ political determination to develop the ties in a more trusted, practical and effective manner with defense and security cooperation being one of the important pillars.
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General Phan Van Giang and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin reviewing the guards-of-honor at the welcoming ceremony |
The Vietnamese defense chief shared his sympathy with Indonesian government and people who have experienced heavy damages by the recent storm and highly valued the leadership of the government and the pioneering role of the Ministry of Defense and the military of Indonesia in disaster relief, helping local people soon resume their normal life.
He spoke highly of the country’s great socio-economic achievements, position and role in the region and the world. He voiced his belief that Indonesia would continue to develop strongly, have higher position in the international arena and achieve the “Golden Indonesia Vision 2045” with the target of being a developed country on the occasion of its 100th foundation ceremony (1945-2045). He also highly appreciated Indonesia’s foreign policy and contribution to promote ASEAN centrality and solidarity.
Gen. Giang confirmed Vietnam’s support for Indonesia’s initiatives within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM+, particularly the concept document on ASEAN perspective on the Indo-Pacific viewed from defense domain and support for Indonesia as co-chair of the ADMM+ Experts Working Group on military medicine along with the U.S. in the 2024-2027 period.
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General Phan Van Giang (first from right) meets with Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. |
Also at the meeting, Minister Giang expressed his pleasure with the outcomes of the bilateral defense cooperation, especially after the official visit to Vietnam by Mr. Prabowo Subianto (now Indonesian President) in 2022, in different fields, such as all-level delegation exchanges, consultation and dialogue mechanisms, cooperation in training and between corps and services, defense industry and military trade. He also highlighted the two sides’ coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms as well as Indonesia’s sending off naval and coast guard ships to visit Vietnam in 2024.
He thanked Indonesia for backing Vietnam’s initiative of establishing ASEAN Military Intelligence Community and sending delegation to attend the 80th foundation anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army, the 35 years of the Whole-People Defense Festive Day, and the Vietnam Defense Expo 2024.
For his part, Indonesian Minister highly praised the bilateral defense cooperation over the past time and thanked Vietnam for sending naval ships to attend the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2025 in Indonesia, contributing to the event’s success and suggested the two ministries expand cooperation in potential fields.
The two ministers hoped for more specific and practical cooperation contents in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership established by the two countries’ senior leaders during this visit. Focus should be placed on exchanges of all-level delegations, particularly the high-level ones, effective maintenance of defense policy dialogue mechanism, sharing of information, enhanced cooperation between arms and services and maritime law enforcement forces, and collaboration in human resource training, and defense industry.
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Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in a joint photo with delegates of the two sides |
Gen. Giang suggested the two countries’ maritime law enforcement forces boost exchange, sharing of information, and jointly and effectively respond to issues emerging at sea. He hoped that the two navies soon complete negotiations and sign an agreement on joint patrols and establish a communication channel. He asked Indonesia to support Vietnam’s efforts of having the removal of European Commission’s ‘yellow card’ warning against Vietnamese seafood exports.
On the occasion, Gen. Giang invited his Indonesian counterpart to pay an official visit to Vietnam and stressed that the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam supports and will send delegation to the Indo Defense Expo and Forum this June.
Reported by Thu Trang (from Jakarta, Indonesia)
Translated by Mai Huong