 Vietnam-Cambodia relationship continues to move forward |
Prime Minister Hun Manet's visit to Vietnam came 3 months after the Cambodian government began its 7th tenure. The visit will deepen the "good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive, long-lasting, sustainable cooperation” between the two countries on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, effective cooperation, and respect for each other's interests, bringing Vietnam-Cambodia relations to new heights.
Traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation
Vietnam and Cambodia are two close neighbors who established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, on June 24, 1967. The achievements of the bilateral relationship over the past half century were reflected in the victory of the national liberation struggle in each country and also in the development of comprehensive cooperative relationships.
So Naro, the special envoy of Prime Minister Hun Manet, said: "The world is undergoing many changes, but brotherly friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia remain unchanged. This relationship has been fostered by generations and is growing day by day. Nothing has changed. On December 2, Cambodia solemnly celebrated the founding anniversary of the Cambodia National Salvation Front to honor the contributions of former leaders such as Samdech Chea Sim, Samdech Heng Samrin, and Samdech Hun Sen, who led patriotic Cambodians, and to honor the enormous help of the Party, Government, and people of Vietnam, especially the sacrifices of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, to save the Cambodian people from genocide."
Investment and trade activities are bright spots in bilateral ties. Vietnam is currently Cambodia's third largest trading partner, and second largest export market. Bilateral trade is expected to reach 9 billion USD this year. Cambodia ranks 2nd among 79 foreign investment destinations of Vietnam, with more than 200 investment projects and a total registered capital of nearly 3 billion USD.
Phan Van Truong, who is in charge of the Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia, said: "Vietnamese businesses are developing very well, have a good reputation in the Cambodian business community, and are welcomed and appreciated. The Cambodian Government appreciates Vietnamese businesses for their contributions to economic development, job creation, and tax revenues in Cambodia."
New page in bilateral ties
During the visit, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks on ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in education, trade, investment, tourism, culture, security, defense, and border issues. The two Prime Ministers also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and co-chair the Vietnam-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum.
According to Oknha Leng Rithy, Chief Representative of Cambodia’s Rubber Industry Group and interim Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Business Club in Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Manet's visit will further promote economic, investment, and trade cooperation between the two countries, especially in agriculture and agricultural processing.
"The new Prime Minister's visit reflects his affection for Vietnam and assures Vietnamese and Cambodian investors of the Cambodian government’s determination and efforts. I’m very happy and proud that Vietnamese investors in the agricultural sector have boldly invested and strengthened economic cooperation with Cambodian businesses, which will contribute to strengthening the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship." said Oknha Leng Rithy,
The Cambodian Prime Minister’s first trip to Vietnam reflects a continuity of foreign policy from the previous government. This is also Prime Minister Hun Manet’s first visit to an ASEAN country. The peoples of the two countries are confident that the visit will be a success, moving towards a new stage of development in bilateral relations.