Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung (Photo: VNA)
This was stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung in an interview recently granted to the press, about the results of the Cambodia visit by State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
Talking about the results of the visit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung said that firstly, it contributed to further tightening the friendly and trusted neighborly relationship between the two countries, as well as the close affection between the two countries' senior leaders, solidifying the relationship foundation and creating a driving force for comprehensive cooperation in all fields.
Secondly, leaders of the two sides strongly agreed on major guidelines and measures to continue bringing bilateral cooperation into depth, effectiveness and substance; especially in key areas such as defense, security, border cooperation, trade, investment, transport connectivity, education, culture, health, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation between localities. On this occasion, the two sides also signed 7 cooperation documents in many fields such as security, defense, justice, education, border cooperation and the minutes of the 19th session of the Vietnam – Cambodia Joint Committee on economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation.
Thirdly, the visit is a kick-off event for the "Vietnam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year" to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2022. The two sides agreed to adopt a series of events within the framework of the "Year of Friendship" in which the two sides will strengthen coordination in education so that all classes of people, especially the young generations are more aware of the meaning, importance and responsibility in preserving the good neighborly relationship between the two peoples, for the prosperity of the two countries, peace, cooperation and development in the region.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and PM Samdech Techo Hun Sen witness signing ceremony
(Photo: VNA)
Fourthly, on cooperation within the multilateral framework, the two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate at international, regional and sub-regional forums, especially in ASEAN. Vietnam actively supports and coordinates closely with Cambodia on the 2022 ASEAN Chair Year of Cambodia.
Fifthly, the President had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese businesses investing in Cambodia, which was a great source of encouragement for people in the context of facing many difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, in all meetings with Cambodian leaders, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked them to continue to pay attention to and create conditions for the Vietnamese community to improve its legal status and stabilize their life and businesses in Cambodia.
Regarding major orientations to promoting Vietnam – Cambodia ties in the near future, Deputy Minister Dung said the two sides will effectively realise signed high-level agreements and documents, enhance trade and investment cooperation, strengthen connectivity between the two economies, and work closely together on regional and global issues during Cambodia’s role as ASEAN Chair 2022, especially amid complicated and uncertain developments in the region and the world.
Additionally, the two countries will strengthen trade and investment cooperation, promoting connectivity between the two economies, including completing the "master plan to connect the two economies of Vietnam - Cambodia to 2030"; actively deploying and focusing on key areas and key cooperation projects, including our investment projects in Cambodia in the fields of agriculture, industrial crops, telecommunications, and banking; promoting the implementation of the Ba Vet - Moc Bai highway project connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Phnom Penh; soon signing a border trade agreement to create favorable conditions for the two sides' goods to access each other's markets; and improving the quality and efficiency of cooperation in education and training./.