Vietnam, Cambodia set for new stage in relations

Vietnamese President To Lam is paying a state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from July 12 to July 13 following an invitation by Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni.

The visit is taking place within the framework of President To Lam's first oversea business trip in his new position to affirm the nation’s consistent policy of always valuing and desiring to further consolidate and deepen ties with Cambodia.

Since both sides moved to officially establish diplomatic relations in 1967, the diplomatic achievements recorded are not only a victory of the national liberation struggle in each country, but also shows the development of co-operative ties in all aspects. This has served to make a positive contribution to the development of each country, whilst further solidifying both nations’ bonds.

In particular, in 2005 the two countries' senior leaders agreed to set out a new motto in developing bilateral relations which was "Good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability".

With that orientation, the mutual relationship has been continuously strengthened and developed across multiple fields, bringing practical benefits to citizens of both sides and actively contributing to peace, stability, and co-operation in the region and around in the world.

Most notably, political relations play a core role, orienting the overall relationship between the two countries. The two sides have signed many documents as a basis for developing comprehensive linkages, regularly conducting exchange visits, holding meetings, and ensuring contact between senior leaders at all levels through flexible forms, even in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Through the visits, both states consented to reaffirm the principles guiding the relationship between the two countries. They also agreed on directions to consolidate and develop friendly relations and multi-faceted co-operation, form specific mechanisms to both collaboration efforts, and focus on step-by-step negotiations to resolve outstanding issues in order to create favourable conditions for the two countries to bring ties to a new stage of development.

Activities of the fronts, friendship parliamentary groups, friendship associations, and mass organisations of the two countries, especially in border provinces, have been launched widely to contribute to improving understanding between their people, especially the young generation. The focus is on tradition, solidarity, friendship, co-operation, and mutual assistance between the two countries and two peoples.

Joint efforts in defence and security has constantly been strengthened, becoming more and more substantive and effective, with this being one of the important pillars in the relationship between the two countries. Both sides have always affirmed that they will not allow any hostile force to use their territory to harm the other country's security.

In his speech given at the 47th Anniversary of Samdech Tocho Hun Sen's path to overthrow the genocidal regime of Pol Pot on June 20, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed that generations of Cambodian leaders remember the Vietnamese side’s sacrifices to help his nation escape Pol Pot’s genocide. In addition, the younger generation needs to preserve solidarity and friendly neighbourliness between the two countries.

Economic, trade, and investment co-operation is a bright spot, with bilateral trade turnover growing at a high level. The first four months of the year saw two-way trade turnover reach about US$3.9 billion, up 16.8% on-year.

Vietnam is currently Cambodia's third largest trading partner after China and the US, as well as being their largest trading partner in ASEAN.

To date, the country has 205 valid investment projects taking place in the Cambodian market with a total registered capital of US$2.94 billion, ranking first in ASEAN and being among the top five countries with the largest direct investment in the neighbouring country. In contrast, Cambodia ranked second among 79 countries and territories with investments in the Vietnamese market.

Both nations have also paid close attention to promoting other areas of co-operation in education - training, traffic - transportation, culture, health, and telecommunications

Every year, the Vietnamese side grants hundreds of long-term scholarships to Cambodian students, whilst the number of Vietnamese students studying in Cambodia is increasing.

The two countries also regularly launch cultural exchange activities, especially in border localities, and co-ordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the UN, ASEAN, and sub-regional mechanisms.

Reality has proven that despite experiencing many ups and downs, the relationship between the two Parties and the two States is always closely linked and expressed in many different forms, depending on each situation and each specific historical moment.

Strengthening solidarity, attachment, and mutual assistance between the two Parties and the two States is therefore an objective necessity, a vital rule, and the most important factor for each country's revolution. Ultimately, this will contribute to ensuring an environment of peace, security, and development in the region.

President To Lam's visit to Cambodia aims to strengthen and carry out high-level agreements, especially the results of the annual meetings between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

This will help to further consolidate the strategic trust that exists between the CPV and CPP and boost friendly relations and comprehensive ties with Cambodia, while continuing to bring relations between the two sides into a new stage of development.