The Vietnamese Government remains supportive and creates the utmost conditions to promote cooperation between localities from Vietnam and Cambodia, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting with Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng on September 6.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (r) and Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng (l). Source: VGP

The prime minister highly regarded the visit of the Governor amid the Vietnam-Cambodia, Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Year 2022, and the 55^th anniversary of diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967 – June 24, 2022).

“Such a visit would help strengthen the comprehensive relations in general, and between Phnom Penh with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in particular,” Chinh added.

Chinh congratulated the major victory of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in the commune election in June, expecting the country to achieve greater results in national construction and development.

Meanwhile, Chinh suggested the cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia has been on the steady rise and maintained vie frequent high-ranking exchanges, especially meetings between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Despite the severe Covid-19 impacts in the past two years, bilateral trade turnover in 2021 reached US$9.54 billion, up 79.1% year-on-year; and $7.08 billion during the seven months in 2022, up 17.8%.

Vietnam currently has 188 valid projects in Cambodia with registered capital of $2.8 billion, ranking first among ASEAN and in the top 5 largest investors in Cambodia.

Overview of the meeting.

In the spirit of sincerity, trust, and responsibility, Chinh said Vietnam gives high priority to maintaining strong relations with Cambodia, in turn bringing substantial benefit to the people of the two countries.

Chinh expected the two to further promote cooperation in all fields; effectively control borders and develop border gate economic zones; create favorable conditions for businesses from the two sides to form partnerships; strengthen cooperation in education, cultural exchange, and tourism.

According to Chinh, Vietnam stands ready to support Cambodia in successfully hosting the ASEAN 40-41 Summit, and SEA Games 32th in 2023, thereby raising Cambodia’s status in the region and on the global stage; protecting the lawful rights of countries, and maintaining solidarity within ASEAN for peace, stability, and development in the region and of the world.

Chinh also thanked Phnom Penh’s authorities for supporting the Vietnamese community in Cambodia.

Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng stressed that Vietnam-Cambodia relations play a key role in the development process of each country.

He congratulated Vietnam on the occasion of Independence Day and major achievements in socio-economic development and pursued the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.

Khuong Sreng said Cambodia would never forget Vietnam’s contribution to overthrowing Pol Pot’s genocidal regime, saying without the latter’s assistance, there would be no Cambodia as today.