Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi (left) receives medical supplies from the Vietnamese National Assembly. (Source: Kemlu)
According to Ms. Endah Tjahjan, the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community” that Vietnam chose for the 41st AIPA is very consistent with the theme of the 36th ASEAN Summit, which focused on cohesion and response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as cooperation and post-pandemic recovery. “Although this is the first time that the AIPA General Assembly is being held online, Vietnam has made very thorough preparation.”
Appreciating Vietnam's excellent preparation, Ms. Endah Tjahjan said that Vietnam had hosted a number of meetings related to AIPA before; therefore, she trusted in the leadership of Vietnam, especially in the 41st AIPA.
"We have received all relevant documents and information, and carried out technical tests,” she said, confirming that AIPA 41 would be a success with strict cooperation. “We appreciate Vietnam’s efforts in preventing COVID-19 and making best preparations for the AIPA 41,” she added. “We can learn from the experience of Vietnam.
On May 13, the Vietnamese National Assembly awarded medical supplies to parliaments of some countries, including 30,000 medical masks to Indonesia. “This is a meaningful gift which demonstrates the responsible action of the President of AIPA 2020 in case of the global pandemic,” she said.
According to Ms. Endah, apart from being AIPA members, Vietnam and Indonesia will strengthen bilateral parliamentary cooperation. In February, the Indonesian Lower House established the Indonesia-Vietnam bilateral friendship group. “We hope that the Vietnamese National Assembly would set up a similar group to arrange official working visits for signing a Memorandum of Understanding and carrying out cooperation in all areas,” she said.
Regarding the bilateral relationship, Ms. Endah went on to say that Vietnam and Indonesia have had a very close relationship since the early days of independence. This year the two countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1955-2020). At the same time, Vietnam and Indonesia are both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Vietnam is the Chair of ASEAN 2020. Ms. Endah expressed her belief that with such positions, in the near future, the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Vietnam will be increasingly close and sustainable, bringing benefits to the two peoples./.