During his reception for Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, PM Dung said he was delighted at the positive developments in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia, and proposed the organisation of practical and effective activities to mark their 55 years of diplomatic ties. 

The government leader said Vietnam and Indonesia should step up bilateral trade and investment relations and sign a cooperation agreement on national defence, including conducting joint maritime patrols, and further negotiations on the demarcation of the exclusive economic zone between the two countries. 

He conveyed State President Nguyen Minh Triet’s invitation to President Yudhoyono to visit Vietnam and attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia. 

President Yudhoyono affirmed his country’s support for Vietnam’s attendance at the G20 meeting as the ASEAN Chair, as well as support for Vietnam’s role as chair in general. 
The President said he advocated stronger ties in national defence, including conducting joint maritime patrols, and further negotiations on the demarcation of the exclusive economic zone between Indonesia and Vietnam. 

President Yodhoyono also expressed his hope that two-way trade value would reach US$2 billion this year. 

While receiving Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, PM Dung said the joint committee needs to hold its session early to accelerate bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment. 

The two nations should sign memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the fields of national defence, aquaculture, education, training, and joint patrols at sea, he added. 

Together with Malaysia, Vietnam is willing to discuss with the Philippines issues related to the continental shelf between the three countries in the spirit of friendly neighbourliness and cooperation within ASEAN, Mr Dung said. 

The PM noted with pleasure that Vietnam and the Philippines have smoothly cooperated at international and regional forums and bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment have yielded good results. He also asked the Philippines to back Vietnam’s participation in the G20 meeting as the Chair of ASEAN 2010. 

Having shared PM Dung’s proposals, President Arroyo said the Philippines and Vietnam should early convene a meeting of their joint committees and deploy long-term rice trading contracts. 

The two nations should also sign an agreement aimed at boosting education cooperation, especially in teaching English and vocational training, promote defence relations and tackle issues related to the continental shelf boundary. 

She congratulated Vietnam on the assumption of the ASEAN 2010 chairmanship and affirmed that the Philippines support Vietnam’s participation in the G20 conference.