PM Nguyen Tan Dung (L) meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the special ASEAN-US Summit in California, the US on February 15. Photo: VGP

The two leaders also agreed to foster economic and investment cooperation, diversify trade exchanges and coordinate closely in handling issues related to Vietnamese fishermen.

Regarding security and defense cooperation, the two sides unanimously agreed to accelerate the signing of a agreement on joint patrol, anti-terrorism, establishment of a hotline between the two navies and policy dialogue mechanism in a bid to contribute to ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.

The two leaders also discussed on regional and international issues of common concern. Both sides agreed to step up solidarity and maintain the central role of ASEAN over major issues related to security and interests of each country and of the region.

They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, signing the Code of Conduct, and settling maritime disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

President Widodo took the occasion to announce his plan to visit Viet Nam in the time to come.

By Huong Giang