Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni

Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic ties on June 24, 1967. The two countries have strived to overcome various difficulties for national independence and freedom. The time-honored relation is a source of pride which will be continuously nurtured and broadened.

Bilateral relations develop comprehensively over the years

Based on mutual trust and understanding, the political and diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Cambodia have been continuously deepened. The two sides have maintained high-ranking delegation exchanges and meetings. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung have paid visits to Cambodia. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hunsen, and National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin have also visited Vietnam. During the meetings, the two countries’ leaders repeated their resolve to consolidate and further intensify the bilateral friendship and comprehensive collaboration.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has been a top priority in Vietnam-Cambodia relations. Bilateral trade has increased from 1.8 billion USD in 2010 to 3.34 billion USD in 2013. The two countries will strive to raise bilateral trade revenue to 5 billion USD in 2015. Vietnam has invested in 128 projects, worth 3.36 billion USD, in Cambodia. Vietnam ranks 5^th among 50 countries and territories investing in Cambodia. Most of the projects match Cambodia’s development program - cash crops, telecommunications, finance, banking, fertilizers, and healthcare. Cambodia’s Acting Minister of Trade Kim Si Thon said Cambodia considers Vietnam an important trade partner. Steady trade growth shows a firm relation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Regarding security and national defense, the Vietnamese and Cambodian armies and people have worked together to find and return the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Cambodia. Bilateral military cooperation has played an important part in protecting national sovereignty and peace in each country. Major General Dang Anh Dung is Commander of multi-battalion 15, which has several socio-economic development projects in northeastern Cambodia. “Vietnam and Cambodia and their armies have developed an organic relation in their struggles for national liberation and freedom. Millions of people of the two countries died for that noble cause. Our nations and armies will continue to reinforce our time-honoured friendship and good neighborliness for national defense and long-term sustainability in many fields.”

Cooperation in education and healthcare has been diversified in both content and measures. The two governments have given hundreds of scholarships to government officials and students. Vietnam has organized health check-ups and given free medicines to Cambodians, especially in the border areas.

Creating opportunities for bilateral ties to flourish

Leaders of the two countries have pledged to continue to exchange high-level delegations to deepen mutual understanding. They have also agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism, telecommunications, banking, petroleum, industry, and agriculture. The two countries will fine tune their legal systems to create a legal framework for investment and trade, implement the revised Protocol of the Agreement on Investment Protection and Encouragement, and negotiate and sign an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement. Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed that land border demarcation and marker planting must be well implemented to build a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

Vietnam and Cambodia have great potential to support each other’s development. Based on their time-honored tradition and national strength and determination and the efforts of their leaders, President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Cambodia will elevate their relations to a new level in the future.