“Vietnam wants to build relations with Cambodia under the motto of ‘fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability’ as agreed by the two countries’ top leaders,” Mr Triet stressed.

The Vietnamese President said he is happy to see drastic changes and the tremendous achievements made by Cambodian people in national construction and development under the reign of King Sihamoni and the clear-sighted leadership of the Royal Government.

He thanked the Royal Government and people of Cambodia for their assistance to Vietnam in the struggle for national liberation in the past and national construction at present.

Both host and guest affirmed their determination to further strengthen the traditional friendship, fine neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability for mutual benefit between Vietnam and Cambodia, describing it as invaluable assets of the two nations.

They noted that the Cambodian visit by President Triet is of great significance as it takes place at a time when the two countries are preparing for celebrations of the 40^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Mr Triet invited King Sihamoni to visit Vietnam, and the King said the visit would be made early next year.

Later, State President Triet met with Senate President Samdech Chea Sim, Parliament Speaker Samdech Heng Samrin and Prime Minister Samdec Hun Sen. 

During the meetings, Mr Triet reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to develop the relations of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability with Cambodia.

Mr Triet and Cambodian leaders shared the view that the two countries have recently resolved their border issues well and affirmed their resolve to complete the border demarcation and marker planting in 2008 and prepare for sea delineation.

Senate President Samdec Chea Sim noted that the success of the visit would bring bilateral ties to a new height. He thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam, particularly voluntary soldiers, for helping Cambodia overthrow the genocidal regime and rebuild the war-torn country. He said besides effective cooperation between the two governments and legislative bodies, Vietnam’s border provinces have helped their Cambodian localities build infrastructure facilities such as schools, medical stations and electricity network.   

The Senate President spoke highly of the efforts made by Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in building the Development Triangle, and the investments of Vietnamese companies in hydro-electric power projects in Cambodia. He thanked Ho Chi Minh City’s Cho Ray Hospital for sending its doctors to provide medical check-ups for Cambodian people.

On his part, Parliamentary Speaker Samdec Heng Samrin highly valued the border demarcation and marker planting work, considering it an historical event in bilateral ties that contributed to building the common borderline of peace and long-term stability between the two countries. He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government will encourage and create more favourable conditions for its businesses to invest in Cambodia for mutual benefit.

At another meeting, Prime Minister Hun Sen assured Mr Triet that the Government and people of Cambodia will do their best to search and repatriate remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers. He thanked Mr Triet for supporting agreements reached by the two countries’ PMs in implementing cooperation projects such as the Road 78 project, rubber growing projects and electricity development projects. He said that bilateral trade value currently hits more than US$1 billion and is expected to reach US$2 billion in 2010.

In the evening, King Norodom Sihamoni gave a banquet in honour of President Triet and his entourage.