A Vietnamese diplomat has expressed a belief that the fine traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia would further develop both politically and economically, as well as bilaterally and multilaterally.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Nguyen Xuan Thuy made the statement at an interview with an Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s magazine on Oct. 27.

The traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have developed intensively and extensively, Thuy affirmed.

Political ties have been strengthened through exchange of delegations and high-level meetings, the ambassador said.

Thuy commented on the visit to Vietnam by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in October, 2010, and the visit to Indonesia by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in September this year, which he said mark milestones in the relations between the two countries, with a number of important documents signed, creating a foundation to boost bilateral cooperation towards strategic partnership.

Indonesia is also one of Vietnam ’s important trade partners, with two-way trade increasing annually and expected to reach 5 billion USD in 2014, Thuy said.

The two countries’ leaders have committed to creating favourable conditions for businesses, the diplomat said, adding that the countries have also reaped benefits through cooperation in agriculture, education and training, seafood and aquatic products, culture and tourism./.