Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his desire to work closely with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Prak Sokhonn to promote the direct communication channel between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, in order to promptly exchange and resolve issues arising in bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to strengthening the good neighborliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn congratulated Vietnam on recent achievements in socio-economic development, international integration, as well as pandemic prevention and control; and expressed deep thanks to the Government and people of Vietnam for providing financial support and medical supplies and equipment to help Cambodia effectively cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two Foreign Ministers expressed their satisfaction that Vietnam - Cambodia relations have kept their positive development momentum over the past time amid the pandemic; and the two countries maintain regular high-level contacts and exchanges and effectively promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Two-way trade turnover continues to grow, with the figure in the first 4 months of 2021 reaching USD3.892 billion, up 122% over the same period in 2020.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in border management, prevent illegal entry and exit, facilitate border trade exchanges; and welcomed the operation of the Tan Nam international border gate in Vietnam’s Tay Ninh Province and Mon Chay in Cambodia’s Prey Veng Province since May 31.
The two ministers spent time discussing people-to-people exchanges and immigrant relations between the two countries. Minister Son thanked and asked Cambodia to continue to pay attention to solving the legal status and Khmer nationality for Vietnamese people in Cambodia. The Minister suggested that Cambodian authorities, in the process of implementing socio-economic policies and measures, should pay attention to a reasonable roadmap, ensuring the rights and welfare of Vietnamese people, creating conditions for the affected people to settle down soon, maintain or change to suitable occupations, and have full access to essential services.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Prak Sokhonn acknowledged the proposals of Minister Bui Thanh Son, affirming that the Cambodian Government will continue to pay attention to and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese students, businesses and people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia, expressing his hope that the two countries’ people will soon resume exchange and tourism activities when the pandemic is under control. The two sides agreed to coordinate in organizing practical and meaningful activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic relations (June 24), contributing to strengthening the relationship dissemination to the people, especially the young generation, to respect and preserve the good relationship between the two peoples.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two ministers agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums, and work with other member states to maintain solidarity and consolidate the central role of ASEAN to respond effectively to common challenges. Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam is ready to coordinate and support Cambodia to successfully organize the 13th ASEM Summit in November and successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair in 2022./.