[Demographic Vietnamization: Indochina, PRK, Occupation, Heng Samrin, Border] Vietnamese leaders receive Cambodian NA President

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan held talks with her Cambodian counterpart Heng Samrin in Hanoi on June 23 following an official welcome ceremony for the guest.

Vietnamese leaders receive Cambodian NA President

President Heng Samrin has been on a four-day official friendship visit to Vietnam, where he is scheduled to take part in activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties and participate in a meeting of the presidents of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Lao Front for National Construction and the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland.

Vietnam Net Bridge | 25 June 2017

Chairwoman Ngan spoke highly of the Cambodian delegation’s visit which takes place at a time when the people of the two nations are eagerly celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties - the major activity of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017, vividly reflecting their friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability.

Having thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their support and assistance to Cambodia during its difficult periods as well as its current process of national construction and development, President Heng Samrin congratulated and highly evaluated Vietnam’s important socio-economic achievements, and believed that Vietnam will obtain greater successes in the time to come.

While informing his host of Cambodia’s situation, President Heng Samrin said Cambodia has achieved an annual average economic growth rate of 7 percent over the past decade. Its per capita GDP increased from just 288 USD in 2000 to 1,300 USD in 2016, he said.

The country is striving to become a high middle-income nation by 2030 by promoting open-door policies, attracting more foreign investment, enhancing connectivity with economies and integrating deeper into the region and the world, he added.

President Heng Samrin said he was delighted to see that the two parliaments relations have been strengthened through the exchange of delegations at all levels and the organisation of workshops to share lawmaking experiences.

While updating her guest on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and the 14th NA’s activities, Chairwoman Ngan stressed Vietnam continues its consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations, comprehensive international integration, proactive participation in and active contribution to important international organisations and regional cooperation mechanisms such as the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC and ASEAN Regional Forum.

Vietnam has contributed responsibly to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world as well as safeguarding its national integrity and sovereignty on the basis of respecting international law, she added.

The Vietnamese leader congratulated Cambodia on the successful commune/ward elections, which, she said, will create an important prerequisite for the country to successfully organise the general election in 2018 and to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Cambodia.

Chairwoman Ngan affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the fine sentiments and precious support and assistance that late King Norodom Sihanouk, King Norodom Sihamoni, other Cambodian leaders, including President Samdech Heng Samrin, and people of Cambodia have given to the Vietnamese people during the fight for national independence in the past and the process of national construction and development at present.

Vietnam always attaches importance to and give top priority to enhancing relations with Cambodia, she said, stressing that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will exert every effort to reinforce the “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” between Vietnam and Cambodia, considering it as a invaluable common asset of the two nations that should be passed to future generations. 

At the talks, the parliament leaders agreed that the two sides will increase delegation exchanges and meetings between senior leaders, ministries, sectors and localities so as to coordinate to implement the reached agreements. They will also share information, experience and concrete measures to timely solve problems arising in bilateral relations in the spirit of mutual understanding and trust, and in conformity with law of Vietnam and Cambodia, international practice and the two countries’ traditional friendship.

President Heng Samrin consented to Chairwoman Ngan’s view that both sides should maintain relations in all Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy channels. They also need to press ahead with friendship activities and educate people from all walks of life, especially younger generations, on the Vietnam-Cambodia solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

President Heng Samrin agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart’s proposals to continue negotiations between the two countries for the early signing of the Vietnam-Cambodia Border Trade Agreement to replace the Agreement on Trade and Exchange of Goods and Services in Border Areas inked in 2001. 

The Cambodian NA backs the facilitation of licensing of Vietnamese businesses’ investment projects in Cambodia, he said.

Chairwoman Ngan called on the two sides to intensify their cooperation in defence and security, and join hands to fight smuggling and cross-border crimes.  

She also suggested stronger coordination in searching and repatriating remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Cambodia. 

The two legislatures should create conditions for Vietnamese and Cambodian Governments as well as relevant ministries, agencies and localities to complete the construction of auxiliary border markers and poles along the common border line in 2017, and finalise the dossier on border demarcation and marker planting in line with regulations of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee for Border Demarcation and Marker Planting, towards reaching a legal document acknowledging outcomes of the work. 

In this regard, the top Cambodian legislator pledged to seek measures together with Vietnam to accelerate the land border demarcation and market planting.  

Ngan expressed her belief that under the instruction of his Cambodian counterpart, difficulties regarding the legal status of overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia will soon be removed, helping them stabilise their lives in the host country. 

She informed her guest that the Vietnamese legislature has decided to provide sets of computers worth 3 billion VND (132,000 USD) for the Secretariat of the Cambodian Senate in 2017. 

At the talks, the two leaders also discussed several regional and international issues of shared concern. 

NA Chairwoman Ngan said Vietnam will join hands with other ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, to build a strong ASEAN Community, actively and responsibility contributing to the common consensus of the ten-member group. 

She asked Cambodia to increase exchanges, consultations and information sharing with Vietnam in the framework of Greater Mekong Subregion mechanisms such as Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV), Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV), Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Mekong-Langcan Cooperation.

Cambodia should actively work with Vietnam and other ASEAN nations to complete the frame of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the Ease Sea between ASEAN and China in 2017.

Chairwoman Ngan said hosting the APEC Year 2017 is one of the diplomatic focuses of Vietnam, showing the country’s determination to boost intensive and extensive international integration and raise its multilateral external relations.

She expressed her wish that Cambodia will support Vietnam in successfully organising the event.

The same day, the NA Chairwoman hosted the banquet for her Cambodian counterpart Heng Samrin, his wife and entourage.

President hails Cambodian NA President’s visit

President Tran Dai Quang (R) meets President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin

President Tran Dai Quang hailed visit by President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24) during a reception in Hanoi on June 24. 

The State leader said the two nations need to further boost solidarity, friendship and cooperation by facilitating economic, trade and investment ties while enhancing people-to-people diplomacy, especially among young generations. 

He believed that under the sound rule of King Norodom Sihamoni and leadership of the Senate, National Assembly and government of Cambodia  in which the Cambodia People’s Party plays a crucial role, the fraternal Cambodian people will continue reaping greater successes in the cause of building Cambodia for peace, stability and prosperity.

The host expressed his delight that Vietnam has become one of the leading trade and investment partners of Cambodia. 

He asked his guest to continue providing support for Vietnamese nationals living in Cambodia, contributing to fostering friendship between the two peoples. 

Heng Samrin, for his part, affirmed that the Cambodian people will forever keep in mind sacrifices made by Vietnamese soldiers during a fight to save Cambodia from the Pol Pot genocide regime. 

He added that Cambodia will continue maintaining a stable political climate following the recent election of deputies to ward and communal councils, thus laying groundwork for the Senate and general election in 2018.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes Cambodian NA President

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) receivea President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin on June 24

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received President of the National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin in Hanoi on June 24.

The PM welcomed the Cambodian delegation’s official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967).

He also informed the visiting President about the success of the recent working session and meeting with Cambodian PM Samdech Hun Sen, who retraced his revolutionary path in Vietnam four decades ago.

The last 50 years is a special period in bilateral relations when the two people were united and ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of each other, he said, considering this as a priceless and sacred asset that Vietnamese and Cambodians, especially younger generations, must maintain and nurture.

PM Phuc also expressed his sincere gratitude to late King Norodom Sihanouk, King Norodom Sihamoni and other leaders and people of Cambodia for supporting Vietnam in the fight for national liberation in the past and the national development and protection at present.

Vietnam is happy about Cambodia’s huge achievements, he stressed, expressing his belief that under the clear-sighted leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni, the Senate, the NA and the Government of Cambodia that is led by the Cambodian People’s Party, the Cambodian people will continue to obtain even greater accomplishments in building a country of peace, stability and prosperous development.

Regarding bilateral ties, PM Phuc noted with satisfaction the continually reinforced and developing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Amidst the complex global and regional situation, the two sides should further enhance solidarity, friendship and cooperation in economy, trade and investment, while increasing people-to-people exchanges, especially between young people.

For his part, NA President Samdech Heng Samrin expressed his pride in the flourishing bilateral ties. He congratulated Vietnam on its major development attainments and voiced the belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country will develop more strongly in the near future.

Applauding the completion of the land border demarcation and border marker planting, he said this achievement reflects the countries’ efforts and resolve to soon finish this task. Both sides will continue to finish the remaining work to help ensure peace, stability and development in Vietnam-Cambodia border areas.

Cambodia thanked the valuable assistance that the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people have given to the Cambodian people in the fight for national liberation and the national development, he added.

Vietnam, Cambodia foster front cooperation

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central CommitteeTran Thanh Man (R) receives Acting Secretary General of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland Nhem Valy

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man welcomed visiting Nhem Valy, Acting Secretary General of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland (SFDCM) National Council in Hanoi on June 24.

Nhem Valy, who is in Vietnam for the Front Presidium Conference of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, congratulated Man on his new post as President of the VFF Central Committee, and expressed his hope that Man will continue boosting the front work, contributing to strengthening and consolidating the relations of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” between the two nations and the two fronts.

On preparations for the fifth international conference on building a borderline of peace and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, slated for August, Nhem Valy said the SFDCM National Council is completing contents for the event, expressing his hope that VFF will cooperate with the council in organising the event successfully.

During the reception, VFF President Man highly valued the thorough preparation the council has made for the conference, affirming VFF’s close cooperation with the council for the event.

Vietnamese, Cambodian leaders exchange congratulations on diplomatic ties

Top leaders of Vietnam and Cambodia have exchanged letters of congratulations on the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (June 24) and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) welcomes Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during the latter's visit to Vietnam in 2012

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang sent congratulatory letters to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a letter of congratulations to his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen. Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended congratulations to Senate President Samdech Say Chhum and National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin of Cambodia.

The Vietnamese leaders expressed their delight at the continually sound development of Vietnam-Cambodia relations over the past five decades. They affirmed that despite difficulties and challenges, the people of the two nations have always been united together, stood side by side and given each other disinterested and pure support and assistance during their struggles for national liberation in the past as well as the process of national construction and development at present. 

This is an invaluable and sacred asset of the two nations that needs to be further maintained and consolidated, they said, expressing their belief that the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to be solidified and developed for the sake of their people, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Meanwhile, King Norodom Sihamoni also extended letters of congratulations to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen sent a congratulatory letter to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Senate President Samdech Say Chhum and National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin sent congratulatory letters to National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

The Cambodia leaders underlined the centuries-old relationship between the two countries, noting that the Cambodian and Vietnamese have together experienced numerous difficulties and hardships. The strong historical relations, basing on friendship and mutual respect, have created a solid foundation for the current close bilateral cooperation under the motto “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability.”

In their letters, the Cambodian leaders expressed their admiration for the great achievements that the Vietnamese people have obtained under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. 

They wished the Vietnamese people will successfully accomplish the industrialisation and modernisation process and affirmed that Cambodia will forever keep in mind the Vietnamese people’s assistance and sacrifice in the liberation of the Cambodian people from the genocidal disaster.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Cambodia’s Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn also exchanged congratulatory letters.

Grand ceremony marks 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties

A dancing performance ​at the ​celebration of 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties

The 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967) was celebrated with a grand ceremony at the Hanoi Opera House in the capital city of Vietnam on June 24.

Vietnamese participants included National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh who chairs the National Steering Committee for the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai, and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man.

Among the Cambodian officials at the event were Honourary President of the Cambodian People’s Party, President of the NA of Cambodia, and Chairman of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland Samdech Heng Samrin; Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and Chairwoman of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association Men Sam An; and senior officials of the Cambodian parliament.

In her speech, Chairwoman Ngan underlined that Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbouring countries with long-standing relations. On the basis of the time-honoured relationship and the fight against colonialism, the establishment of their diplomatic ties created favourable conditions for the two peoples to continue standing side by side in the struggle for national liberation, and they together won a historic victory in the spring of 1975.

In response to the urgent call of the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, the army and people of Vietnam once again continued to be on the side of the patriotic forces and people of Cambodia to liberate the country and save the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime, prevent the return of the genocidal regime and bring recovery to Cambodia, she noted.

“On this special occasion, we express our sincere gratitude to the two peoples for their efforts and sacrifice in that lofty fight, particularly of heroic martyrs, war invalids, formers experts, former volunteer soldiers of Vietnam who did not spare their blood and bones and sacrificed themselves to consolidate the traditional solidarity and friendship between the two nations and peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia,” she said.

At the celebration, Samdech Heng Samrin described the organisation of the ceremony as a great historical event reflecting that the countries’ traditional solidarity, friendship and sound cooperation throughout history have brought about common benefits for the two nations, especially in gaining peace, stability and prosperity.

On behalf of the Cambodian people, he expressed his deep sense of gratitude to the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their precious support and assistance to the Cambodian people in recovering and re-constructing his country. He highlighted the great sacrifice of Vietnam’s volunteer soldiers who helped free the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime on January 7, 1979. [The CeePeePee's Hallelujah Chorus]

In their speeches, Chairwoman Ngan and President Samdech Heng Samrin noted with satisfaction that despite countless difficulties and challenges over the past five decades, the solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia have continually been reinforced and developed, which is a priceless, sacred and sustainable asset of the two nations.

They noted the growing bilateral cooperation between the two parliaments and in politics, security-defence, economy-trade-investment, tourism, training, culture, health care, telecommunications, and cultural exchanges. They added during the implementation of the foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, the two countries have also coordinated closely at international and regional forums, thus helping to promote their respective prestige and stature in the region and the world.

They voiced their belief that the countries' time-tested amity and all-round cooperation will keep thriving for the sake of the two peoples.

At the ceremony, Colonel Le Cuong, who represented Vietnam’s former volunteer soldiers in Cambodia, shared his sentiment towards the land and people of Cambodia. He also congratulated Cambodia on its enormous achievements and affirmed that he will continue to help nurture the two countries’ friendship.

Meanwhile, Xiu Kim Hua – a Cambodian student at Hanoi Medical University, said the youth of Cambodia always keep in mind the assistance and support that the Vietnamese leaders and people have given to their country throughout history, especially the liberation of Cambodia from the Pol Pot genocidal regime in 1979.

On behalf of the two countries’ younger generations, Xiu Kim Hua and Tran Phuong Thao, a Vietnamese student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, affirmed younger generations’ responsibility towards the consolidation of the Vietnam-Cambodia traditional friendship.

VNA