The Indonesian FM told reporters on the sidelines of the regional meetings in Da Nang on January 13-14 that he believed many of the bloc’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 bloc 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 the Indonesian FM, cooperating in security matters amongst ASEAN countries as one of the three ASEAN Community’s pillars. He expressed his hope that the issues would be dealt with 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 both have had to struggle for independence and understood the value of it.

He emphasised that the two countries will enhance relations and make headway toward a bright future.