Deputy of Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty has affirmed that Indonesia is one of the top priorities in Vietnam’s policy on external relations.

Senior Lieutenant General Ty, who is also chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, made the remarks at talks on February 13 with Indonesian Military Commander General Moeldoko, who is in Hanoi for an official visit from February 12-15.

Stressing that Vietnam and Indonesia have shared a long-standing friendship, he said the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in June last year created a momentum and opened up new chances for the development of the Vietnam-Indonesia relationship.

Both host and guest held that positive progress has been seen in bilateral defence cooperation over the past years.

In 2013 and early this year, the two sides have organised visits by six high-ranking delegations, they noted, adding that cooperation among forces of both sides, especially naval forces, have been fostered.

The two sides have also maintained information sharing and coordination at multilateral forums, they cited.

In particular, the memorandum of understanding on strengthening coordination between defence officials and related activities signed in October 2010 has proved its efficiency, contributing to beefing up the sustainable development of bilateral defence ties to match the strategic partnership between the two countries.

During the talks, the two sides also discussed ways to further the cooperation between the two Defence Ministries in the time to come, including the increase of delegation exchanges, joint drills in maritime search and rescue, and in dealing with issues related to law violations by fishermen in bordering sea areas.

They agreed to work closely together to seek more cooperation directions in the fields of military logistics, technology and industry.

The Vietnamese side also voiced hope for more cooperation and experience sharing from Indonesia in joining United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The same day, General Moeldoko paid a courtesy call to Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh.

He also laid wreaths at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Martyrs Monument in Hanoi, and visited Regiment 102, Division 308 and Army Corp 1.-VNA