Indonesia and the Philippines reaffirmed commitment to bringing their economic ties to a "higher level" with closer cooperation in various sectors, primarily energy, their foreign ministers said here Friday.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the two countries would cooperate in the development of geothermal energy and deepen ties in the sectors of fisheries, agriculture, forestry, education and culture.

He said the two governments were satisfied with the fact that the bilateral trade has recorded an average growth of 18.7 percent a year between 2002 and 2006.

"Bilateral trade volume between Indonesia and the Philippines nearly reached 1.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2006 alone," he told reporters in the sidelines of a joint committee meeting with a Philippine delegation led by his counterpart Alberto Romulo.

Romulo said his government also is eager to boost tourist visits between the two countries and will propose the opening of more air routes between their respective cities.