State Ceremony Held to Welcome Vietnam's Socialistt Leader

Jakarta, (Antara) - A state ceremony was held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday to welcome General Secretary of the Socialist Republic Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led the ceremony to welcome Trong that was later followed by a photo session, guest book signing event, bilateral meeting, inking of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), and the release of a joint press statement at the Merdeka Palace.

Trong, along with other delegations from Vietnam, arrived at the palace at around 10:30 a.m. local time and were welcomed in a state ceremony.

Both state leaders took part in the ceremony marked by the playing of the national anthems of both countries and a customary cannon salute.

Jokowi and Trong were also part of an honorary inspection and held a bilateral meeting after the ceremony.

During their bilateral meeting, President Jokowi welcomed Trong and the other representatives in Indonesia.

"Indonesia and Vietnam share a good relationship that has existed for more than 60 years," the president noted.

According to President Jokowi, cooperation with Vietnam should be improved, especially since trade between both nations has considerably increased during the last three years.

Several MoUs were also signed by those two leaders.

Earlier, Asia Pacific and Africa General Director of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry Desra Percaya had remarked that the meeting between the two leaders was held to improve bilateral cooperation.

"Cooperation in the maritime, fisheries, commerce, and investment sectors as well as various regional issues were also discussed," Percaya pointed out.

Trong and several related Vietnamese ministers and aides are visiting Indonesia on Aug 22-24.

Apart from meeting President Widodo, Trong will hold a meeting with members of the Indonesian House of Representatives and will address a business forum.(*)