(VOVWORLD) - Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hunsen began a 3-day official visit to Vietnam on Thursday to lift bilateral ties to a new height. The visit is made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
 Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hunsen began an official visit to Vietnam on December 6. 2018 |
This is Prime Minister Samdech Hunsen’s first official visit to Vietnam since the new Cambodian government was set up in September. The visit demonstrates Cambodia’s respect for its friendship with Vietnam.
Both countries enter a new period of development
Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbors with a time-honored relationship which has been fostered by the two countries’ leaders and peoples over the past half a century.
Two-way trade totaled 3.8 billion USD last year, 28% higher than the previous year. The two countries are strengthening comprehensive cooperation and aim to raise bilateral trade to 5 billion USD in the coming years. Vietnam has 196 investment projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital of 2.9 billion USD focused on the agro-forestry sectors. Vietnam is among Cambodia’s largest investors. Cambodia has 18 investment projects worth 58 million USD in Vietnam. Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh said: “Vietnam’s leading enterprises have strengthened their foothold in Cambodia. Cambodia is a small market but with rapid growth. Vietnam’s surplus export to Cambodia reached more than 2 billion USD.”
Last year more than 800,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Cambodia, the second largest number after China. Vietnam and Cambodia signed a framework agreement on economic connectivity and are discussing a master plan on connecting the two economies. At an annual meeting of the Joint Committee for Cooperation in Economics, Culture, and Science and Technology, the two sides mapped out major orientations for further cooperation.
Chairman of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Vu Mao said: “With the motto good neighbors, traditional friendship, and comprehensive, long-lasting and sustainable cooperation, the Vietnam-Cambodia relation has grown in all aspects. Last year, the two countries successfully organized the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year with activities that also improve the younger generation’s awareness of their friendship.”
At a ceremony to mark Cambodia’s 65th National Day in November, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Prak Nguon Hong reiterated Cambodia’s consistent stance of strengthening its relations with Vietnam: “The Cambodian government always pays attention to and respects its traditional friendship, fraternity, and neighborliness with Vietnam. During the past few years, the two countries have strengthened cooperation in economics, politics, education, and national defense. Vietnam and Cambodia have exchanged delegations on a regular basis, boosted cooperation in regional and global forums, and worked closely for peace and prosperity in the two countries and the world.”
PM Hunsen’s visit creates a momentum for bilateral ties
With a time-honored relationship and mutual support Vietnam and Cambodia have great potential to further their bilateral ties. Prime Minister Hunsen’s visit to Vietnam will strengthen the sustainable traditional friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.