Vietnam and Indonesia have agreed to create an attractive and favourable environment for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade and investment as well as new economic areas, alongside strengthening exchanges between their mass organisations and business circles.

The agreement was reached during talks in Jakarta on August 8 between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who arrived there the same day for a two-day official visit.

The two leaders stressed the need to promote the stable, long-term and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. In this spirit, they discussed measures to build a strategic partnership in the interests of the two countries and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and other parts of the world.

Accordingly, they agreed to boost cooperation in agro-forestry and fisheries, oil and gas, healthcare, culture, tourism, education, security and national defence and environmental protection. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation and share experience in fighting terrorism, trans-national crime, corruption, epidemics and natural disasters.

President Yudhoyono welcomed Mr Dung’s first visit to Indonesia in his capacity as Prime Minister of Vietnam, considering it a vivid manifestation of the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders informed each other of the situation in their respective countries and expressed satisfaction over their growing ties in all areas of politics, economics, trade, investment, education, culture, security and national defence. They noted that two-way trade value hit US$1.7 billion last year and fetched nearly US$1 billion in the first four months of this year.

Host and guest spoke highly of the Vietnam-Indonesia boundary demarcation agreement signed by the two governments in 2003 and shortly ratified by the two parliaments. They also spoke of the close coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums and reaffirmed their determination to strengthen their partnership to promote peace, stability, and economic development in the region and the world.

They once again affirmed their resolve to support the establishment of an open, closely integrated and dynamic ASEAN Community based on the three key pillars: the security community, the economic community and the socio-cultural community.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding on cultural cooperation and anti-corruption between the two countries’ ministries and agencies.

Later, PM Nguyen Tan Dung met with Vice President of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla and delivered a speech at the Vietnam-Indonesia Business Forum.

In the evening, President Yudhoyono gave a banquet in honour of PM Dung and his entourage.

On August 9, Mr Dung will deliver a speech at the ASEAN Secretariat to mark the 40th anniversary of the region’s largest political group. (CPV/VOVNEWS)