The agreement was signed by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Vanuatu counterpart, Alfred Carlot, at the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
After the agreement`s signing, Marty told the press he and Alfred Carlot discussed many possibilities for the enhancement of Indonesia-Vanuatu cooperation in many sectors.
The agreement they had signed also provided a legal framework for the two countries to respect each other`s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and principles of non-interference in each other`s internal affairs, he said.
"Therefore the Development Cooperation Agreement is considered to be very positive, and to provide a bilateral framework," Marty said.
The agreement also identified potential sectors for the bilateral relationship such as development of fisheries, environment, forestry and other areas.
It would serve as an umbrella for cooperation and partnerships in many other fields including agriculture, marine affairs and fisheries, forestry, education, trade and investment technical cooperation, tourism, transportation, police, cooperation in international organizations related to development issues as well as people-to-people contacts.
Besides, the agreement was considered as the main foundation for a more stable partnership based on mutual benefit and mutual respect between the two countries.
Therefore, the signing of the Indonesia-Vanuatu Development Cooperation Agreement was considered as a very positive step that would serve as a framework for bilateral cooperation, Marty said.
Both government of Indonesia and Vanuatu were ready to cooperate with each other in a variety of partnership programs that were sustainable and whose results would be felt directly by the people of both countries.
Alfred Carlot meanwhile said, "The objective of this agreement is to provide a framework to deepen and expand our bilateral relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest and for common objectives."
(T.A050/HAJM/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
