Indonesia, Vietnam Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Friendship of Soekarno and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and other ministers attend the 60th Anniversary of the Exchange of Visits between President Soekarno and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, at the National Archive Building, Jakarta, Friday (8/11). (Photo by: PR/Dinda Moerthi)
Fruitful relations between Indonesia and Vietnam has been established for 60 years, and next year both countries will join hands as the Non-Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council since Indonesia was elected for 2019-2020, while Vietnam was elected for 2020-2021 period, according to Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
“Today, allow me to underline that the Indonesia-Vietnam friendship was also strengthened by the support from the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarno Putri,” Retno said during her speech at the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Exchange of Visits between President Soekarno and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, at the National Archive Building, Jakarta, Friday (8/11).
Echoing a similar sentiment, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Vietnam Le Hoai Trung expressed his highest appreciation and respect for the event which marked the historical visit of President Ho Chi Minh to Indonesia in March 1959 and President Soekarno’s visit to Vietnam in June 1959.
“The visits of both leaders was beyond the normal diplomatic framework and has become a milestone in the close relations of Vietnam and Indonesia in this modern age,” Le said.
The Vietnamese Deputy Minister also appreciated Indonesia’s commitment, particularly former President Megawati Soekarno Putri who is also the late President Soekarno’s daughter for her contributions to the partnership between the two countries. “The historical moment has bonded us as two countries in the same geographical area which share similar philosophy, culture, tradition, and national character,” he said adding that the spirit of unity in diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) has great contribution to Indonesia’s characters which are flexible, active, and independent.
Also on that occasion, Le said that Indonesia and Vietnam leaders has cooperated since both countries struggled to gain their independence in 1945, to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He went on to congratulated Indonesia for successfully organizing the 2019 legislative and presidential elections, and commencing the inauguration of Indonesian Onward Cabinet for 2019-2024 period. The Vietnamese official also acknowledged Indonesia’s proactive role in international fora such as ASEAN, APEC, G-20, and the United Nations (UN).
“I believe Indonesia can realize the vision of Indonesia 2045 and become one of the largest economics and play more important role in international society. Strategic partnership between Indonesia and Vietnam will be developed optimally,” he added.
According to Le, state visit of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and courtesy call of Minister Retno Marsudi to Vietnam back in 2018 has enhanced strategic bilateral relations and contributed to achieve US$10 billion trade value between Indonesia and Vietnam by 2020. He also expressed hope Indonesia and Vietnam will always join hands be it as the Non-Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council, or during Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
The Deputy Minister also confirmed Vietnam’s commitment to preserve and promote the friendship, strategic partnership, and bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Vietnam.
Also attending the event were, among others, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms Tjahjo Kumolo, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang. (DID/EN)
Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Yuyu Mulyani
