The former Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Pitono Purnomo, has been awarded Vietnam’s Friendship Order for his active contributions to fostering friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh presented the award to Pitono Purnomo in Hanoi on June 14 as the former ambassador was visiting Vietnam as Head of the Policy Analysis and Development Agency, under the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

When speaking at the presentation, Minister Minh said he was delighted with the positive developments in the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between both countries, particularly after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Vietnam in October 2010 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited Indonesia in September 2011.

Minh suggested that both Foreign Ministries work closer together to speed up the 2012-2015 action programme and organise senior-level visits between both countries.

Pitono Purnomo, who served in Vietnam from 2008 to 2011, stated that in his new position, he will continue to help strengthen friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia./.