Da Nang,     -  Indonesian Foreign Minister M. Natalegawa has praised Vietnam at the start of the year it WILL hold the regional organization's  chair, saying that "Vietnam has started its ASEAN chairmanship very well."

     The Indonesian minister told reporters on the sidelines of a regional meeting in  Da Nang  on January 13-14 that he believed many of the grouping's  issues will be solved in 2010 as the first two weeks of the year have passed and   Vietnam   has already hosted several meetings.

     The association  will discuss and speed up a series of security-related issues such as the ASEAN maritime forum and the ASEAN defence ministers' meeting later this year, he said.       

     According to Natalegawa, cooperating in security matters among ASEAN countries was one of the three ASEAN Community's pillars. He said that he hoped the issues would see practical outcomes in the year Vietnam holds the chair.

     Regarding the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia over the years, he said that both countries share a close relationship, adding that they have both also had to struggle for independence and understood the value of it.

      He emphasised that both countries should enhance relations in the future and that the best days for the two countries lie ahead.

-Antara, 17 January 2010-