Vietnam prioritises strengthening relations with Cambodia

Vietnam attaches importance and gives high priority to strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperative relations with Cambodia, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Heng Samrin during online talks on June 3.
National Assembly Chairman of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue. (Photo: VNA)
National Assembly Chairman of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue. (Photo: VNA)

Hue briefed his Cambodian counterpart on Vietnam’s recent developments, saying the Communist Party of Vietnam has successfully organized its 13th national congress, outlining development orientations for the nation in the coming years.

In addition, Vietnamese voters have recently cast their ballots to elect 500 deputies to the new National Assembly and grassroots-level People’s Councils for 2021-2026, with voter turnout reaching more than 99% nationwide.

According to Hue, Vietnam has been working toward a dual goal of epidemic prevention and economic recovery. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country secured GDP growth of 2.91% in 2020, among countries with the highest rate in the world, and is anticipated to obtain 6% this year.

The Vietnamese NA chairman congratulated Cambodia on many great achievements it has made in the cause of national construction, defense and development, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic evolving in a complex manner.

He expressed his belief under the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), CPP Chairman Hun Sen, National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin and other leaders, Cambodia will definitely continue to overcome difficulties and challenges and gain greater achievements, making Cambodia more and more prosperous.

Vietnam supports the leadership role of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in building a peaceful, independent and neutral nation, as well as Cambodia’s policy of regional and international integration and foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification of international relations, Hue said.

NA Chairman Vuong DInh Hue (L) holds online talks with Cambodian NA Chairman Heng Samrin.NA Chairman Vuong DInh Hue (L) holds online talks with Cambodian NA Chairman Heng Samrin.

For his part, Samdech Hang Samrin congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing the 13th National Party Congress and the general election to elect the new National Assembly and grassroots-level People’s Councils for 2021-2026. He also spoke highly of the great achievements that the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam have recorded in socio-economic development and international integration.

Both leaders expressed their joy at the positive development of the traditional friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries in recent times, saying despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, senior leaders of the two countries have maintained regular contact and exchanges.

Bilateral cooperation mechanisms have brought about fruitful results, especially in two-way trade that hit US$3.9 billion in the first four months of this year, up 122% over the same period last year.

They highly appreciated the fact that the two countries have ratified a memorandum of understanding that specifies that Vietnam and Cambodia have completed 84% of land border demarcation and marker planting.

They expressed hope that the remaining 16% of work will continue to be completed in the time ahead in order to build the Cambodia - Vietnam border into a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development for peace and prosperity of the two countries’ people.

Heng Samrin welcomed the two government’s joint determination to strengthen cooperation and mutual support in security protection and crime prevention, as well as to promote socio-economic development in border areas and combat COVID-19.

Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Vuong Dinh Hue thanked Cambodia for supporting Vietnam in successfully fulfilling its role as ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2020, as well as its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

The two leaders agreed that both countries’ legislative bodies support, develop and complete the legal framework to further facilitate bilateral trade and investment, improve the effectiveness of national defense and security cooperation, as well as traffic connectivity, and increase cooperation between localities and in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Exchanging views on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, Hue voiced Vietnam’s willingness to share experience and actively support Cambodia in successfully hosting international conferences in 2021.

Vietnam will support Cambodia in successfully organizing local elections in 2022 and National Assembly elections in 2023, Hue assured Heng Samrin.

He suggested that the two countries actively exchange information, closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, Asia-Europe Meeting, Mekong Sub-region and the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam tripartite cooperation.

Hue also said that he will arrange time to attend the 11th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) Meeting to be held in Cambodia this October.

VOV
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