The former Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Pitono Purnomo, has beenawarded Vietnam’s Friendship Order for his active contributions tofostering friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the twocountries.
Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minhpresented the award to Pitono Purnomo in Hanoi on June 14 as theformer ambassador was visiting Vietnam as Head of the PolicyAnalysis and Development Agency, under the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.
When speaking at the presentation, Minister Minhsaid he was delighted with the positive developments in the traditionalfriendship and comprehensive cooperation between both countries,particularly after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Vietnamin October 2010 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited Indonesiain September 2011.
Minh suggested that bothForeign Ministries work closer together to speed up the 2012-2015 actionprogramme and organise senior-level visits between both countries.
Pitono Purnomo, who served in Vietnam from 2008 to 2011, statedthat in his new position, he will continue to help strengthen friendshipand cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia.-VNA