Vietnam greatly treasures traditional friendship and all-around ties with Cambodia

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man made the statement during his talks with President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Khuon Sudary in Phnom Penh on November 21 as part of his official visit to the neighbouring nation.

Khuon Sudary welcomed the Vietnamese NA leader and his delegation’s visit to  Cambodia which indicates the friendly friendship and neighbourliness as good friends, close brothers, and enduring strategic partners.

Man showed his elation at the visit to Cambodia where he will attend the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 11th Plenary Session of International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP), hosted by Cambodia.

This was his first official visit to Cambodia as the top legislator of Vietnam with a view to implementing agreements between the two Parties' leaders and carrying out the results of then State President To Lam's visit to Cambodia in July, Man said.

The two NA leaders compared notes on the socio-economic development situation in each country, and discussed concrete and effective measures to beef up cooperation between the two countries and their legislatures in the time ahead.

Man stated that as Party General Secretary To Lam has outlined a vision for a new era – the era of Vietnam’s rise, Vietnam hopes for closer ties with Cambodia in this new era, for the benefit of both nations’ people.

The closeness, solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two Parties and States is an objective necessity, a vital rule, and a top important factor for security and development of each nation, he said, adding Vietnam is steadfast in supporting Cambodia’s peace, stability, and development.

Host and guest noted with pleasure that the relationship between the two Parties and States has constantly been strengthened and expanded, achieving significant achievements in a multitude of fields. Cooperation in defence and security remains a cornerstone of the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship, contributing to the political stability and development in each nation. Meanwhile, economic, trade, and investment cooperation has been growing steadily and yielding encouraging results.

Man said the Vietnamese Party and State leaders highly value the prestige and role of Khuon Sudary within Cambodia’s political system, praising her decision to choose Vietnam as the first country to make an official visit after her election as President of the Cambodian NA . It shows the importance Cambodian has attached to the bilateral relationship as well as collaboration between the two legislative bodies, he said.

He showed his confidence that Khuon Sudary would continue to make positive contributions to fostering the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and their legislatures.

Congratulating Vietnam on its achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Cambodian leader applauded the vision of a new era – the era of Vietnam’s rise set out by Party General Secretary To Lam.

Vietnam’s success is Cambodia’s success and security of the former is latter’s security and vice versa, she said, adding that the destinies of both nations are intertwined, contributing to the stability of the Mekong region and beyond.

In the context of globalisation and political and economic fluctuations,  host and guest emphasised that only through unity and close cooperation can both nations overcome challenges. They agreed that bilateral cooperation will not only bring economic benefits but also contribute to promoting prosperity in Southeast Asia and elevating the international positions of the two nations.

Acknowledging the fruitful development of parliamentary cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, they concurred to continue working  hand  in hand to further boost this collaboration.

The top Vietnamese legislator suggested the two sides continue to exchange experience in areas of mutual interest, especially in building institutional and legal systems, supreme supervision, and making decisions on key national issues. He also encouraged continued cooperation between the NA committees and agencies, lawmakers, and friendship parliamentary groups of  both nations, including those of young and female parliamentarians.

The two sides should continue to enhance the role of the legislatures in strengthening the bilateral relations; supervise and urge ministries, agencies, localities and enterprises to actively and effectively implement signed treaties and agreements; continue to closely coordinate and offer mutual support other at multilateral forums and inter-parliamentary forums in which both sides are members.

Man asked the Cambodian NA pay attention to and promulgate policies and laws to offer optimal conditions for Vietnamese enterprises and investors as well as people of Vietnamese origin to live stably and do business smoothly in the country, contributing to the growth of the bilateral relations as well as the socio-economic development of the host nation.

He stressed that the two law-making bodies need to promote their roles in spreading the strength of political, defence, and security ties to economic and other sectors. They should join hands with the governments, agencies at all levels, and sectors to remove obstacles to the current cooperation, creating momentum to promote the continued development of the bilateral relations, he noted.

Khuon Sudary underlined the importance of stepping up cooperation between the youth and young parliamentarians of the two countries, fostering a legal environment conducive to the growth of businesses, and building a borderline of friendship, peace and development.

Both leaders showed their belief that the outcomes of their talks would play an important role in further cementing and expanding the traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as the collaboration between their legislatures, meeting the aspirations and interests of their people.

On behalf of the Vietnamese National Assembly, Man respectfully invited her Cambodian counterpart Samdech Khuon Sudary  to lead a delegation of Cambodian parliamentarians to attend the Parliamentary Forum on Francophone cooperation sustainable agriculture, food security and climate change response on the occasion of hosting the Conference of the Executive Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie in Can Tho City from January 21 to January 24, 2025 to share each country's vision on the issues raised by the Forum.

Earlier, Man and his delegation laid wreaths at the Independence Monument, the Norodom Sihanouk Memorial and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument – a symbol of solidarity and friendship between the two countries – which is to commemorate Vietnamese fallen soldiers who carried out the noble international mission to help the Cambodian people escape from the Pol Pot genocidal regime. The Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Monument also shows Vietnam’s gratitude to Cambodia for its assistance during the past struggle for national reunification.