Cambodia, Vietnam boost defence links

The seventh Vietnam-Cambodia policy dialogue held on August 7 saw Deputy Minister Chien highlight the strong ties of neighbourliness, as well as other aspects such has the traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation, and long-term sustainability between the two countries.

The two armies and peoples have stood side by side in historical struggles for national liberation, he said, adding that the Vietnamese side always places importance and gives top priority to consolidating and fostering the mutal relationship.

For his part, Minister Yun said the dialogue demonstrates the close ties between the two armies as a contribution to reinforcing diplomatic relations.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, outlining that ASEAN-led mechanisms have maintained their role in promoting dialogues and co-operation within the bloc, as well as between ASEAN and external partners, for the cases of peace and stability in the region.

For maritime issues, Deputy Minister Chien emphasized the nation’s advocacy of maintaining peace and stability to ensure security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; settling all disputes by peaceful measures in conformity with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS); and effectively and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

Both stated that since the sixth dialogue in April, 2023, bilateral defence co-operation have seen intensive growth, extensively, practically, and effectively. This has seen the holding of all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, personnel training, information exchanges, and co-ordination in border management, as well as in the search and repatriation of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who previously laid down their lives in Cambodia during the wartime.

They agreed to continue such activities, while also educating generations of soldiers and residents, especially young people, about the importance of the friendship between the two armies and peoples.

As part of the occasion, Deput Minister Chien invited leaders of the Cambodian Defence Ministry and representatives of prestigious businesses in the neighbouring country to attend the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024, slated for December in Hanoi.
The two officers then signed the minutes of the dialogue.