(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is visiting Cambodia and Laos this week to demonstrate Vietnam’s desire to boost friendship and cooperation with these two neighbors.
Vietnam boosts ties with Laos and Cambodia |
This is Prime Minister Phuc’s first visit to Cambodia and Laos as Head of the Vietnamese government and the first official activity to celebrate the Friendship Year 2017 between Vietnam and Cambodia and between Vietnam and Laos.
Boosting comprehensive cooperation
Since Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic ties 50 years ago, their ties have been flourishing. The two countries’ leaders have affirmed determination to strengthen bilateral ties amidst rapid regional and global changes, particularly through educating the younger generation. Vu Mao, President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association, said: “Educating the younger generation in both countries about the special friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia is a priority of association branches at all levels. We have sponsored Cambodian students to study in Vietnam to learn more about Vietnamese customs and the bilateral friendship. We have also organized seminars and exchanges to forge closer ties.”
Bilateral trade has increased in recent years, reaching 940 million USD in the first quarter of this year, up 11% from last year. Vietnam ranks first in number of visitors to Cambodia. At the 15th session of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee in Phnompenh in March, the two sides agreed to support each other in economic development, increase cultural exchanges, settle arising problems in border areas, conduct joint patrols at sea, and not allow hostile forces to use their territory to sabotage security in other countries.
Tightening traditional friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation with Laos
Vietnam and Laos constantly strengthen their political and trade ties throughout the history. Thanks to incentive policies, bilateral trade has increased rapidly. The two sides have maintained annual meetings at various levels. In the face of recent regional and global complications, they have attached special strategic importance to fostering their traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, and promptly addressing arising problems that concern their interests, security, and development. Vilayvong Bouddakham, President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, said: “In the current context of globalization and integration, more than ever we need to boost the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples. We need to focus on educating the younger generation about the rare, precious loyalty between Laos and Vietnam.”
During Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visits to Cambodia and Laos, he will repeat Vietnam’s consistent policy of boosting the good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with Cambodia and Laos and will discuss ways to improve their ties even further.