Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

The function was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Cambodia Sar Kheng. In his opening speech, Minh highlighted the importance of cooperation and the development of bilateral ties. He said bilateral political relations have continuously been fortified while the two-way trade exceeded 4.6 billion USD last year and is expected to meet and surpass the 5-billion-USD target before 2020. Mr. Minh said: “Bilateral border trade has developed steadily. The two sides have negotiated and will soon sign the Border Trade Agreement. 90% of the construction of the Vietnam-Cambodia model market has been completed. The market is expected to be in operation this year. Border gates have been upgraded with improved administrative processes resulting in reduced time for customs clearance.”

For his part, Sar Kheng praised efforts by authorities and relevant agencies in the border provinces in jointly carrying out a cooperative plan set forth by the 9th meeting. He noted that both sides have held regular meetings, exchanged delegations, and worked together in ensuring border security and order, as well as promoting exchanges of goods, entry-exit activities and bilateral engagements in education, power supply, transport, as well as demarcation and planting of border markers.