Cambodia, Vietnam agree to fast-track implementation of signed agreements

At his talks with the Cambodian Government leader held on July 13 in Phnom Penh, President To Lam expressed his joy for the first State visit to Cambodia in his new position and respectfully conveyed regards and good health wishes from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese senior leaders to Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Lam congratulated the tremendous achievements that the Cambodian people have recorded and believed that Cambodia will achieve its goal of becoming a high-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050 and people's lives will increasingly improve, and the country's role and position will be further enhanced in the region and the wider world.

The host leader congratulated the great achievements the Vietnamese people have obtained under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

PM Hun Manet expressed his confidence that Vietnam will continue to reap even greater achievements towards prosperous development, becoming a bright spot in the region and the world.

The two leaders noted their satisfaction with the strong and comprehensive development of bilateral relations in a multitude of fields, thus bringing practical benefits to the people of each country. The efforts include maintaining regular exchanges and meetings at all levels and channels, especially the Party, State, National Assembly, and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam is one of Cambodia's major trading partners. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, trade turnover ranked second, accounting for 22.2% of the neighbouring nation’s total export turnover and it is believed that bilateral trade will soon reach the target of US$ 20 billion in the time ahead.

Holding in-depth discussions on directions and solutions to ramp up bilateral relations in the coming time, the two leaders highly agreed on major directions, notably continuing to maintain and strengthen political trust.

They emphasized the need for the two countries to cooperate closely to preserve and reinforce solidarity between the two countries; enhance regular exchanges of visits and contacts at high levels and at all levels across all channels; and well implement signed commitments, agreements, treaties and cooperation mechanisms.

The two sides pledged to continue deepening the pillar of defence and security cooperation, emphasizing the principle of not allowing hostile forces to use one country's territory to sabotage the other; cooperate more closely in preventing high-tech crimes and cross-border crimes, continuing to build a border of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development; and support each other in training officials and improving law enforcement capacity.

Regarding economic connectivity, they agreed to drastically accelerate traffic connections and border gate pairs, and actively coordinate with Laos to well deploy "One journey, three destinations" tourism packages through Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam; and effectively operate the newly opened direct air route Hanoi - Phnom Penh - Hanoi of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

The leaders agreed that the two sides would continue to coordinate to resolve arising issues in the spirit of solidarity and friendship, with a focus on building and developing the border gate system, ensuring smooth traffic connections along both sides of the border to promote the socio-economic development of the two countries as well as border localities, and effectively participating in regional connectivity initiatives.

Thanking President To Lam for affirming that Vietnam encourages businesses to increase investment in Cambodia, PM Hun Manet pledged to continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses and support and protect Vietnamese investors which are also an important target of the Cambodian Government to strengthen connections between the private sectors of the two countries.

Underlining the importance of cooperation in human resource development, the two leaders consented to further boost cooperation in this important field, including Vietnam continuing to provide scholarships to Cambodian students in Vietnam.

In addition to supporting each other to improve the capacity of officials, the two sides will also pay more attention to attracting students from both nations to study in each country in industry groups suitable to new development trends such as digital transformation, and science and technology applications.

They will continue to negotiate and seek fair and reasonable solutions to expedite the settlement of areas with incomplete demarcation in the near future; augment cooperation to prevent human trafficking and cross-border drug transportation; and ensuring security and safety for people in border provinces.

Concerning regional and international cooperation, host and guest concurred to support Laos in fulfilling its role as Chair of ASEAN 2024 and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 2024; bolster cooperation in the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle and the Greater Mekong Subregion; cooperate in the management and sustainable use of Mekong River water resources for the benefit of communities in the basin, for the future of future generations and for solidarity among riverine countries, in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.

On this occasion, Vietnam News Agency and Cambodia's national news agency Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) signed a professional cooperation agreement in the field of information and communication to meet the current development needs of journalism in the digital technology era as a contribution to fostering good neighborliness and traditional friendship.

The same day, the Vietnamese State leader met with representatives of Vietnamese representative agencies and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia 

Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang told Lam that more than 100,000 Vietnamese are living, working and studying in the neighbouring nation.

Vietnamese community representatives suggested the Vietnamese Party and State call on the Cambodian Government to offer more favourable conditions for them in matters relating to nationality, education, training and employment, while facilitating the operation of Vietnamese associations and businesses.

They also noted wish for scholarships for disadvantaged children, the building of schools and education institutions for Vietnamese people in Cambodia.

Briefing overseas Vietnamese on his meetings with Cambodian leaders, President Lam stated that both sides continue placing high priority on reinforcing their time-honoured friendship and all-around cooperation.

He said he asked Cambodia to adopt more favourable policies in support of people of Vietnamese origin, along with more incentives towards Vietnamese firms.

Affirming that the Party and the State always take heed to OVs, especially people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia who are still facing plenty of difficulties, President Lam asked them to raise their legal status and comply with local legal regulations.

He urged the Khmer-Vietnamese Association, Vietnamese associations and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia to stay united, offer mutual support, and try their utmost to contribute to the socio-economic development of the host country and the homeland, as well as the close-knit relationship between the two nations.

On this occasion, Lam presented US$20,000 to the Khmer-Vietnamese Association to support its operation, and 200 gift packages to people in difficult circumstances.