Vietnamese and Cambodian foreign ministers hold talks

Cambodian Deputy PM Sokhonn is currently on a visit to the nation at Minister Son’s invitation to co-chair the 20th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Science and Technology Cooperation from March 21 to March 22.

During the course of the meeting, FM Son warmly welcomed the Cambodian official’s latest visit to Vietnam, hailing Cambodia's outstanding domestic and foreign achievements over the years, including the successful organization of the fifth commune/ward council election in June, 2022, as well as successfully assumption of the role of Chair of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 2022.

The Vietnamese FM also expressed his belief that the neighbouring will successfully organise the seventh National Assembly election in July.

The Cambodian guest highly appreciated the Vietnamese for offer support for his nation in the role of ASEAN Chair in 2022, while affirming that he would make greater efforts to contribute to continuously strengthening and developing ties of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation, and long-term sustainability.

He congratulated Vietnam on numerous important achievements recorded in socio-economic development, with a growth rate of more than 8% seen in 2022.

The two sides duly agreed to intensify and conduct high-level visits, continue to maintain and promote the effectiveness of existing bilateral co-operation mechanisms, as well as effectively carrying out joint statements and agreements between the two parties and the two governments

This is along with accelerating the connection of the two economies; strengthening links between localities, especially between bordering provinces; and speeding up the demarcation of the remaining 16% that have not yet been completed in order to continue building a border of peace, friendship, co-operation, and sustainable development between the two nations.

Regarding co-operation between the two foreign ministries, both sides applauded the close ties of the two ministries in contributing to advancing bilateral relations, whilst agreeing to continue promoting the effectiveness of co-operation mechanisms and devise a plan to hold the eighth Political Consultation at deputy foreign minister level in Cambodia at an appropriate time this year.

Concerning regional and international co-operation, the two sides emphasized their full commitment to working closely together in reinforcing solidarity, as well as enhancing ASEAN's central role, alongside building ties between the regional bloc and its partners.

With regard to the East Sea issue, the two sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, ensuring freedom and safety of navigation and aviation, settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards achieving an effective, substantive and consistent Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

FM Son therefore proposed that the Cambodian Deputy PM continue to pay attention to and support Vietnamese people residing in Cambodia to stabilise their lives, integrate them into the host country, and serve as a bridge of friendship.

He also suggested that the Cambodian side continue to boost closer co-operation in solving cases of Vietnamese citizens being scammed and forced to work illegally at some foreign entertainment business establishments there.

For his part, Deputy PM Sokhonn affirmed that Cambodia will continue to treat people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia equally, as they do with people from other countries.