PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Hanoi, July 25, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Government chief made the remark while receiving Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa who is in Vietnam to attend the first meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation.

PM Dung said the two-way trade turnover increased sharply and sturdily with US$4.6 billion in 2011 and US$2.1 billion in the first half of 2012.

The fine relations have brought about practical benefits for both countries and the ASEAN-community building process.

PM Dung urged the two sides to step up the implementation of the signed agreements to lift the bilateral ties to new heights and enhance coordination to resolve the region’s issues, including the East Sea one in favor of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

He also recommended the two countries boost linkages in the areas of diplomacy, security, national defense and joint maritime patrols. 

Vietnam pledged to help Indonesia secure its food security, affirmed PM Dung.

For his part, Foreign Minister Natalegawa said that Indonesia attaches importance to and spares no effort to bolter the relations with Vietnam.

The Indonesian top diplomat stressed that Indonesia would closely coordinate with other ASEAN member states in building a strong and prosperous ASEAN Community and in settling regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue. 

 By Huong Giang