Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2nd R) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd L) pose with their wives, Kristiani Yudhoyono (R) and Akie Abe (L), before a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta August 20, 2007. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived at Jakarta on Sunday for a three-day visit aimed at enhancing economic and political relations. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JAKARTA, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia, the hardest-hit country by bird flu, offered Japan on Monday to cooperate in producing anti-bird flu vaccine developed from the strain of H5N1 virus in Indonesia.

    Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made the statement during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe after meeting at the State Palace here.

    The president said that they had agreed to join hand in fighting the globally spread disease of avian influenza that has killed 319 people in the world.

    "We have agreed to collaborate in combating bird flu," said President Susilo.

    "I have offered Prime Minister Abe a bilateral cooperation for developing vaccine from the strain of virus in Indonesia," he said.

    Prime Minister Abe said that Japan had decided to provide 1.7 billion yen (some 14.8 million U.S. dollars) to help Indonesia to fight the spread of the lethal virus.

    The number of victims of the virus has kept slowly rising in Indonesia, with death toll of 83 out of 104 cases.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) shakes hands with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the presidential palace in Jakarta August 20, 2007. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived at Jakarta on Sunday for a three-day visit aimed at enhancing economic and political relations. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>