The wildlife trade enforcement officials from Vietnam and Indonesia have committed to collaborate in the fight against illegal trade in timber and other wild species.

At the first bilateral dialogue in the northern port city of Hai Phong from August 1-3, the two sides shared information and experiences as well as discussed opportunities for tackling the illegal wildlife trade between the two countries, then seek a way to develop a common agreement upon which the two countries can operate.

Dr. Ha Cong Tuan, Vice Director of the Forestry Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the dialogue is under the framework of cooperation between Vietnam and the Southeast Asian countries in preventing timber trafficking and protecting animals on the verge of extinction.

The dialogue is also one of activities towards the 55 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Indonesia.

In 2009 and early 2010, Hai Phong port had seized 15 tonnes of ivory, dozen tonnes of frozen pangolins and pangolin scales as well as a large quantity of turtle shells originated from Indonesia./.