[Vietnamization] Cambodian PM concludes Vietnam visit

Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Hun Sen toast at a banquet held in honour of the Cambodian leader on December 20 

Cambodian PM concludes Vietnam visit

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen concluded a successful official visit to Vietnam on December 21 afternoon. 

Vietnam Net Bridge | 22 December 2016

During his stay, the PM held talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, paid courtesy calls on General Secretary of the Party Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang, met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, laid wreaths at the Memorial of National Heroes and Martyrs and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and visited Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province.

During the meetings, leaders of the two countries had in-depth discussion on the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interests. 

The two sides noted with satisfaction the advancement of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia over the past period, offering practical benefits for both peoples. 

The two sides agreed that strengthening and advancing the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia is of crucial importance for both nations. They committed to continually consolidate and promote the bilateral relations under the motto “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability”.

They also pledged to fully observe the principles stated in the Vietnam – Cambodia Joint Statements in 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016; to respect independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; to ensure one’s territory is not used by hostile forces to menace the other’s security; and to settle problems arising between the two countries by peaceful means. 

The two sides agreed to increase high-level meetings, contacts and the exchange of delegations at all levels, and encourage people-to-people contacts, especially between provinces in border areas. The two sides accentuated the importance of educating their people about the nations’ traditional friendship and mutual assistance. 

The two sides also agreed to work together in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic relations (24 June 1967 – 24 June 2017), thus enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples, especially between the young generations and tasked the two foreign ministries to prepare the commemoration. 

Regarding border issues, the two sides agreed to assign the Joint Commission on Land Border Demarcation to work together to find fair and reasonable solutions acceptable to both sides for an earlier completion of land border demarcation and marker plantation as well as for the settlement of arising problems along the borderline in line with existing mechanisms and in the spirit of the friendly neighbourliness between the two countries. 

The Vietnamese side expressed hope that Cambodia would continue to take appropriate measures in ensuring the legitimate rights of Vietnamese residents, equally treated as other foreign residents in Cambodia in conformity with laws and regulations of Cambodia, therefore contributing to the consolidation and enhancement of the traditional friendship between the two peoples. 

The two sides applauded their fine cooperation in multilateral forums in the recent past, especially the mutual support for each other’s candidacy for important international organizations of the United Nations. The two sides agreed to increase coordination, information sharing and mutual support in multilateral forums, especially ASEAN. 

The two sides are committed to join efforts for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

The two sides also pledged to continue working closely together and with other members in the frameworks of the Mekong River Commission, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation and other Mekong cooperation frameworks in order to ensure sustainable use and management of water resources in the Mekong River Basin in consistence with international practices as well as harmonize the interests of riverine countries with the goal of sustainable development in the region.

Also on this occasion, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony of a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons, and an agreement on bilateral cooperation between the Committee for Ethnic Minorities of Vietnam and the Ministry of Cult and Religion of Cambodia.

PM Hun Sen thanks HCM City for supporting Cambodian localities

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) meets Secretary of the ​HCM City Party Committee Dinh La Thang on December 21

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has thanked Ho Chi Minh City for assisting his country’s Phnom Penh capital and other localities.

While meeting with Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh La Thang in the city on December 21, the PM noted that Cambodia always attaches importance to reinforcing cooperation and friendship with Vietnam, including HCM City.

2017 will mark 40 years since he set foot in Vietnam to begin the struggle to liberate Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime, a fight that received the wholehearted and pure support from the Vietnamese army and people, he said.

He reiterated the commitment to, together with Cambodia’s Royal Government and people, boosting the cooperation, amity and unity with Vietnam.

For his part, Thang described the PM’s visit to Vietnam as a demonstration of the countries’ sound neighbourliness and also a chance to expand bilateral partnerships, including collaboration between HCM City and Cambodia.

The southern city of Vietnam treasures and pledges to do all-out efforts to nurture the solidarity and friendship with Cambodian localities, he said.

He asked PM Hun Sen to continue providing favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses, including those of HCM City, to do economic, trade, cultural and tourism activities, thereby strengthening bilateral connections.

Congratulating Cambodia on all-faceted achievements, Thang said he believes that the Cambodian people will obtain even greater accomplishments in national development.

Also on December 21, PM Hun Sen met with more than 200 former Vietnamese officers and soldiers who voluntarily performed international duties in Cambodia.

He said through this visit, he wants to convey the Cambodian people’s thanks to the Vietnamese Party, Government, army and people for assistance in defeating and preventing the return of the Khmer Rouge, thus creating prerequisites for Cambodia’s development nowadays.

He recalled the time he and Vietnam’s volunteer officers and soldiers spent fighting for Cambodia’s liberation and constructing the country.

The two countries’ relations will remain intact regardless of complex international situation, he said, stressing that the two Parties, Governments and peoples always trust each other and unite against hostile forces’ plots to sabotage their ties, he added.

On the occasion of the 72nd founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944), PM Hun Sen wished the army to continue developing, fulfilling the task of protecting the nation, and effectively taking part in Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

Cambodian Prime Minister visits historical site in Dong Nai

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen visited on December 21 the relic site of Division 125, the predecessor of Cambodia’s united armed forces for national salvation, in Vietnam’s southern province of Dong Nai.

PM Hun Sen, other senior officials of Cambodia, Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, along with local soldiers and people offered incense and observed a minute of silence at the cemetery of 49 Cambodian soldiers, who lost their lives during the fight against the Khmer Rouge.

The Cambodian leader also visited a monument dedicated to Division 125 in the relic site, which is located in Long Giao commune of Cam My district. 

Speaking to the press about Vietnamese-Cambodian relations, PM Hun Sen appreciated the Vietnamese Party, State and Government’s care for the relic site and the tombs of the 49 Cambodian war martyrs.

Vietnam listed this site as a national historical relic, illustrating its Party and State’s attention to preserving the relic site – a symbol of the two countries’ solidarity and friendship, he said.

The site, inaugurated on January 2, 2012, is the place where Hun Sen formed the Division on May 12, 1978.