Government and NA leaders host Malaysian and Cambodian guests

PM Chinh thanked the Malaysian Deputy PM for coming to pay his respects to and share the sadness with the family of the Vietnamese Party chief, describing the gesture as a vivid demonstration for the strategic partnership and close friendship between the leaders and people of both sides.

He also used the occasion to show gratitude to other Malaysian leaders for extending messages of condolences, affirming that the country respects the sentiments that the Malaysian Government and people have given to the late Party leader, who was wholeheartedly devoted to the causes of construction and development, as well as the promotion of the relations, in particular with Malaysia as well as ASEAN as a whole.

Conveying the deepest condolences of the Malaysian leaders and people to their Vietnamese counterparts and the family of the bereaved, Deputy PM Yusof expressed his admiration for the tireless devotion, as well as great and important contributions, of General Secretary Trong to the country’s construction and development over recent decades.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party leader is a friend of Malaysia and other countries within the ASEAN bloc.

As part of the occasion, the two sides discussed and reached a consensus on several orientations aimed at fostering the bilateral ties across a variety of fields.

PM Chinh therefore suggested the two nations continue carrying out the outcomes of the discussions previously held between General Secretary Trong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam in July, 2023. This includes strengthening the exchange of high-level visits and contacts, sharing experience, offering mutual support, and striving to sign a co-operation agreement in the Halal industry soon. This is in addition to continuing effective co-ordination and humanitarian treatment for detained Vietnamese fishermen in line with international law and the sound relations between the two countries.

He also emphasized support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship coming up in 2025.

Agreeing with PM Chinh’s opinions, Deputy PM Yusof affirmed that Malaysia stands ready to assist the Vietnamese side in the development of the Halal sector, as well as consenting to augment ties in green energy, clean energy, renewable energy, digital transformation, semiconductor production, and AI, targeting bilateral trade of US$18 billion a year moving forward.

They also concurred to move forward with close collaboration efforts to build an ASEAN community with sustainable development that plays a central role in handling strategic issues in the region and the world, including those relating to the East Sea.

The same day saw National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man receive President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Chairman of the Supreme Privy Council to the Cambodian King and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who led a high-ranking delegation to Vietnam to attend the funeral of General Secretary Trong.

NA Chairman Man thanked the Cambodian King, the CPP, Senate, National Assembly, Government, and many agencies and organisations of Cambodia for extending their condolences to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam over the passing of the Party leader and send a high-ranking delegation to pay their last respects. This is a great consolation to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam and shows the special personal sentiments of the CPP leader to General Secretary Trong and the bereaved family.

The Vietnamese leader hailed the role that President Sen plays in maintaining and fostering the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive linkages between the two countries over the years.

He said he believes that the new generation of Cambodian leaders, under the guide of President Sen and veteran leaders of Cambodia, will make contributions to the development of Cambodia and take the time-honoured  friendship and solidarity between both sides to new heights.

Bilateral co-operation mechanisms over the years have been implemented effectively, especially the high-level meeting of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee, as well as the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam exchange mechanisms, NA Chairman Man told his guest.

The sound relationship between the Vietnamese NA and the Cambodian NA and Senate has contributed to fostering and deepening the level of collaboration between the two countries, he added.

The Vietnamese NA leader invited the President of the Cambodian Senate to visit the nation soon to discuss and map out development orientations between the two countries in general and the Vietnamese NA and Cambodian Senate in particular.

President Sen conveyed deep condolences from the CPP, King Norodom Sihamoni, the Senate, the NA, and the people of Cambodia to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam.

Sharing his memories , the Cambodian leader said that during more than a decade serving as the General Secretary of the CPV, General Secretary Trong had made important contributions to promoting joint relations and devoted his entire life to the people’s happiness and the enhancement of the solidarity, friendship, and common development of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Affirming the sound mutual relations on the channels of Party and State and at the ministry, sector, and local level, President Sen said he hopes that in the coming time the two sides should continue to promote collaborations through all channels and aspects, especially in social-economic affairs to further improve the living conditions of the two peoples.

Greatly valuing the fruitful ties that exists between the two legislatures over the years, the Cambodian Senate President expressed his hope that the Vietnamese NA and Cambodia’s NA and Senate will further beef up their level of co-operation. He took the occasion to convey Cambodian NA President Khuon Sudary’s invitation to NA Chairman Man to pay an official visit to Cambodia.

The Vietnamese NA Chairman recognised President Sen’s proposals on boosting bilateral relations through all channels and areas.

He said that currently, Vietnam is actively preparing to welcome King Norodom Sihamoni and the Queen Mother. NA Chairman Man therefore thanked the Cambodian NA President Sudary for the invitation and pledged to make the visit at an appropriate time in the near future.