Vietnam’s Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong on September 13 met the Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam.

Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong and Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin. Photo: baochinhphu.vn

At the meeting, Trong praised the achievements that the people, the State, and the Government of Cambodia have made, believing that Cambodia will achieve better results in political and socio-economic development.

Secretary General Trong emphasized that Vietnam and Cambodia have a close relationship of brotherhood as the two nations have fought side-by-side for national independence and modern development.

Trong was delighted that the relations between the two nations have progressed well and brought about good benefits for their people.

He said that the Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam are always supportive of the Cambodians in the development of their country and that Vietnam highly appreciates the assistance from Cambodia.

The general secretary stressed that the relationship between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia is essential to each other and that the three nations must work together to secure and foster friendship for the prosperity, peace, stability, and development of each other, the region, and of the world.

In return, chairman Samdech thanked General Secretary Trong and his staff for welcoming the Cambodian delegation and sent the regards of King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, and other Cambodian leaders to the Vietnamese Party leader.

He also expressed his happiness that the visit is made right in the year that marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relation and the 77th anniversary of Vietnam’s Independence Day.

Samdech also spoke highly of the achievements that Vietnam has obtained in the defense and development of the country, and said that Vietnam’s Communist Party will lead the people to new successes.

He added that Vietnam will strengthen its status in the international community and that the two nations will work together to protect, promote and foster bilateral relations to new heights in the future.

State President hails success of Cambodian election

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 13 congratulated Cambodia after the latter has successfully organized the election of people’s councils for commune-level authorities.

The successful election shows the trust and confidence Cambodian people have in the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), President Phuc said at the meeting with Samdech Heng Samrin, Chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin. Photo: VNA

Recalling the memories of his visit to Cambodia in December 2021, Phuc said the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia has progressed and high-ranking officials of the two sides have talked to keep bilateral agreements going well.

Phuc also spoke highly of the meeting between Cambodian NA Chairman Samdech and his Vietnamese counterpart Vuong Dinh Hue on September 12 as well as the achievements that have been made by the two assemblies recently.

Samdech has made a significant contribution to the growth of diplomatic ties between the two countries for decades, Phuc said, adding that he hoped Samdech will keep promoting the bilateral relationship in the future.

In his reply, Samdech praised the socio-economic development of Vietnam and said that the Cambodian NA will always side with the Vietnamese to prolong their relationship of friendship and togetherness.

As the year 2022 marks the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic tie, Samdech hoped there will be healthy activities to foster the friendship between the two nations and keep the friendship advancing in all fields of culture, education, and socio-economic development.

The Cambodian NA Chairman also thanked the Party, the State and the people of Vietnam for helping Cambodia construct office buildings for the Cambodian NA in Phnom Penh. He stressed that the sacrifice of the Vietnamese people and soldiers to help Cambodia fight against the genocide will forever be in the memories of the Cambodian people.

Phuc suggested the two nations maintain regular high-level talks, discussions, and cooperation activities through all channels.

Amid the adversities of the regional and international communities, President Phuc expected the two assemblies will better perform as legislative bodies, promote bilateral relations, develop the governmental structure, and improve the legal framework to enhance cooperation in all fields, especially economic and trading ties.

Phuc also said the two nations should educate their people, especially young generations, to secure and strengthen the two-side relations.

NA chairmen talk up bilateral trades, economic activities 

Vietnam and Cambodia must jointly work to complete the strategic plan for the two nations’ economic connection by 2030, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Heng Samrin on September 12.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Heng Samrin.

The two governments would soon finalize the signings of the agreements on cross-border trade, avoidance of double taxation, and investment protection, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on connecting cross-border trade infrastructures, Hue said at the meeting with Samdech Heng Samrin  during the latter’s visit to Vietnam from September 12-14.

The NA Chairman hoped the Cambodian Government would create better environment for Vietnamese enterprises to do business in Cambodia. In return, Vietnam would facilitate Cambodian businesses to settle and operate for the long term in Vietnam, he added.

Hue also spoke of the importance of the visit in the year that the two sides will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cambodia friendship, thus strengthening the bilateral ties.

The two national assemblies should increase the discussion of strategic topics related to the security and development of each country and the region, he said, adding the two nations must uphold the ASEAN principles on the East Sea to assure security and freedom of transport and trade, build up the trust in compliance with international laws, and resolve conflicts through peaceful measures.

“Vietnam always values the enhancement and strengthening of the close, friendly, comprehensive and long-term relationship with Cambodia,” chairman Hue said.

“Vietnam looks to improve the quality and efficiency of the bilateral relationship with the people and Government of Cambodia. Vietnam also agrees to cooperate with Cambodia in human resources development, and sharing of experiences in the development of the regulatory system,” he said.

Regarding the demarcation and placement of border markers, Hue praised that the two sides have successfully delineated the border with 84% of the border markers planted. He recommended that the two sides finish planting the remaining border markers soon.

In addition, Hue sent his gratitude to the Cambodia Government for having supported the Vietnamese people that were tricked and illegally employed. The NA chairman hoped Cambodia will continue helping the Vietnamese expats in naturalization to become the neighboring country citizens and settle down.

Cambodian NA Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin informed that his country’s economy expanded by 2.4% in 2021 and has fully re-opened after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He praised the sacrifice of Vietnamese soldiers in the war against the genocidal regime and thanked the Vietnamese Party, state, and people for gifting the administrative building to the Cambodian National Assembly.

The two parliamentary leaders agreed to maintain high-level discussions through all channels and enhance delegate exchanges to increase the ties between the two parties and nations, thus setting a foundation to expand the relationship and further enhance the mutual trust  between Vietnam and Cambodia.

They also agreed to implement the plans on national security and defense, border security cooperation, prevention of cross-border crimes and illegal immigration, and the development of a peaceful and friendly borderline.

Despite the severe impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bilateral economic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia continue to achieve great results. Trade value in 2021 between the two countries jumped 79% on-year to US$9.5 billion. Vietnam is the fifth largest foreign investor to Cambodia with 188 FDI projects and registered capital of $2.8 billion.