Vietnam, Cambodia aspire to foster friendship, comprehensive cooperation

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni  (Photo:VNA)

The first oversea trip by the top Vietnamese leader in his new position demonstrates the two nations’ special sentiment and solidarity, the King said while voicing his confidence that the visit will open up a new period of development for stronger solidarity, traditional friendship and  comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

The Cambodian King thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their valuable support for Cambodia during their national liberation and their escape from genocide, as well as national reconstruction and development.

He pledged his best efforts to enhance the close-knit relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. He showed his admiration for the tremendous achievements Vietnam has recorded during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, considering this a great source of encouragement for Cambodia in the cause of national building and development.

He said he hopes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Vietnamese people will reap more successes towards realizing the target of building a powerful nation with rich people living in an equal, democratic and civilized society.

For his part, the Vietnamese Party and State leader said he is glad to visit Cambodia and meet King Norodom Sihamoni again, as well as witness the remarkable achievements of the Cambodian people over the past few years, particularly the successful organization of the election of the sixth National Assembly and the establishment of a new parliament and government.

He expressed his confidence that under the leadership of the King and the Cambodian Royal Government, local people will go ahead with building their country toward harmony, independence, neutrality, democracy, social growth, and friendship with all nations – particularly its neighbours.

Trong also expressed his gratitude for Cambodia’s assistance to Vietnam during its past struggles for national independence and reunification.

Reviewing the growth of bilateral ties over the past more than five decades, the two leaders noted with satisfaction the satisfactory outcomes resulting from the two nations’ relations of neigbourliness, friendship and special solidarity.

The bilateral political relations have been ceaselessly strengthened via regular visits by Vietnamese and Cambodian senior leaders to their respective countries, while thriving economic cooperation has delivered practical benefits to their people and defence-security and foreign diplomacy affiliations have now become important pillars of bilateral collaboration, they said.

Both nations have offered mutual support and boosted closer coordination at international forums, actively contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and in the wider world, they said.

Host and guest said that the outcomes of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the recent past, sourced from the long-lasting close neighborliness, have become an invaluable treasure to both nations, as well as a firm foundation and strong driving force to take Vietnam-Cambodia ties to new heights.

Trong thanked the Government, National Assembly and Senate of Cambodia for facilitating the Vietnamese community in the country, while asking the Cambodian King to continue directing the creation of more favourable conditions for them, especially the legal status of Vietnamese-Cambodians.

He presented 100 sets of computers to the King as gifts to Cambodia’s educational establishments.

Trong invited the King and the Queen Mother to pay a visit or make a leisure tour of Vietnam and his invitation was graciously accepted.

The same day, Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation laid wreaths at the Norodom Sihanouk Monument and visited Queen Mother Nordom Monineath Sihanouk.

Later the day, King Norodom Sihamoni hosted a banquet at the Royal Palace in honour of the Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage.