Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong begins an official visit to Cambodia on Tuesday at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. Mr. Trong’s first visit to Cambodia as Vietnam’s Party leader demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent policy of developing its traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation with Cambodia.

 

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong is given a red carpet welcome in Cambodia

The relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia has grown steadily over the years. Cambodia’s Secretary of State Chau Phaly says the two countries, with geographical proximity, cultural and historical similarities, and similar development goals, have all the right conditions for closer cooperation: “The Cambodian people will never forget Vietnam’s assistance during the war which ended 30 years ago. We believe our ties eternal and will continue to grow”.

 

Vietnam and Cambodia are both pursuing an open diplomatic policy, which aims to multilateralize and diversify international relations. In recent years, leaders of both countries have agreed to boost their ties of “Good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation, and long-term stability” on the principles of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; not interfering into each other’s internal affairs; not using or threatening to use armed forces; not allowing any military or political force to use its territory to pose a threat to the other; and co-operating on an equal basis for benefit of each people, and for peace and development in the region and the world. The two countries have enjoyed fruitful co-operation on border issues, Vietnamese people living in Cambodia, and ethnic people who have illegally crossed the border into Cambodia. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung visited Cambodia in September. He said: “Vietnam and Cambodia have been maintaining special ties which were built on blood and tears. We’ve stood side by side to fight for independence, territorial sovereignty, and national survival. We need to work harder to improve bilateral comprehensive co-operation to be worthy of the sacrifices of our peoples”.

 

Vietnam and Cambodia have signed more than 80 agreements on bilateral co-operation, and established coordination mechanisms to meet each country’s development needs. Leaders of the two countries exchange regular visits to strengthen bilateral political and economic ties. The two have been working closely in economics and trade, investment, transport, agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, tourism, aviation, education, and training. Other fields of co-operation include energy, science, technology, diplomacy, security, and defense. Vietnamese companies are invested in some 100 projects in Cambodia, totaling over 2.2 billion USD. Last year, bilateral trade turnover reached 1 billion dollars. The figure is expected to soar to 2.4 billion USD this year. In April, during a trade promotion seminar in Hanoi, the two countries  identified 25 areas of co-operation. President of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vu Tien Loc is optimistic about future co-operation: “We will help enterprises develop strategic partnerships. This will be a foundation for the companies to expand their business to other countries”.

 

It has always been the desire of both peoples to see the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia continue to grow. The friendship visit to Cambodia by Party Leader Nguyen Phu Trong signals further comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.  

 

Anh Huyen