Indonesia vows to support VN as Chair of ASEAN

Indonesia will stand behind and provide full support to Việt Nam in the latter’s term as the President of ASEAN in 2010, says Indonesian Ambassador to Việt Nam Pitono Purnomo, Hà Nội, December 16, 2009 – Photo: VGP/Văn Thừa

The event, which drew the participation of local reporters, aims at introducing the current stage, prospect of as well as Indonesia’s stance toward the bilateral ties.

Ambassador Pitono Purnomo noted that the development of the bilateral friendship is so dynamic in all fields, including politics, trade, and education.

In his visit to Việt Nam on November 25-56, Indonesian FM Marty Natalegawa again confirmed the close relationship of the two countries and Indonesia’s desire to continue improving the bilateral relations.

The very friendly relationship was also seen at the 3^rd Round Table Discussion on Policy Planning Consultation of Indonesia and Việt Nam, taking place in Hà Nội on Monday, said the Ambassador, adding that the two sides openly exchanged views and discussed their foreign policies, including regional issues of common concern.

Regarding to economic linkages, the two-way trade turnover increased quickly from US $364 million in 1995 to US $1 billion in 2003 and US $2 billion in 2006. In 2008, despite impacts of the global financial crisis and economic downturn, the figure still reached US $2.5 billion. The two sides hope that the trade value next year would be the same of 2008.

Indonesia has 22 projects in Việt Nam with the total investment of US $198 million, being the sixth largest ASEAN investor here.

As a measure to boost tourism cooperation, last week, the Indonesian Embassy in Việt Nam launched the Business Informal Gathering on Tourism to introduce its tourism potentialities. Around 35 Vietnamese tourist firms took part in the event, the Ambassador said.

In 2009, the Indonesian Government has been offering training programs and providing scholarships to Vietnamese officials and organizations, and the trend will be continued into 2010, the diplomat stressed when he referred to the fact that the two countries are expanding education cooperation.