Cambodian PM's visit to reinforce time-honoured friendship with Vietnam

The affirmation was made by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea in a recent media interview ahead of the visit.

The Cambodian diplomat underscored the importance of the visit, saying this will be the Cambodian leader’s first visit to an ASEAN member state since he took office in August.

According to Sok Chenda Sophea, apart from exchange visits, Vietnam and Cambodia have also boosted their coordination under multilateral frameworks. The two countries attended meetings of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Lancang-Mekong cooperation framework and ASEAN, during which both nations discussed collaboration in fields of economy, diplomacy, security, health care and transportation. They also compared notes on regional and world issues of mutual concern, typically food security in the current context, at bilateral meetings.

In the time ahead, the two countries must continue to advance their fine relationship to bring development and prosperity to their people, he emphasized.

Looking back on the special relationship over the past six decades, he said the relationship has become closer, and is looking forward to a longer future, he said. The people of Cambodia and Vietnam offered mutual support during the wars and the year 1979 was a historical milestone when Vietnam helped Cambodia overthrow the genocidal regime.

Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have still seen bustling trade activities, with last year’s two-way trade reaching US$ 10.57 billion, more than double the figure of US$5 billion recorded in 2020.

The two countries are stepping up greater efforts to enhance trade, investment and tourism links, alongside other fields such as industry and agriculture.