Vietnam, Cambodia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties

In her speech at ceremony marking 50 years of bilateral relations in Hanoi on June 24, the top legislator said “Vietnam and Cambodia are endowed with the Mekong River, which has witnessed the close bonds between the 2 nations. On this occasion, I wish our traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation will be like the Mekong River that never runs dry,” Ngan stressed. President of Cambodia’s National Assembly Heng Samrin praised Vietnam’s valuable support for Cambodia during its national construction.   

Over the past five decades, the cooperative relations between the two countries has been strengthened and developed unceasingly under the motto " Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability "and both sides have always respected each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Bilateral cooperation have been successful in multiple fields like economics, society, culture, education, science and trade, Samrin said.

On behalf of the Cambodian people, Samdech Heng Samrin thanked for the valuable support the Vietnamese Party, State and people have given the Cambodian people in restoring and building the nation, especially for the major sacrifices of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who helped liberate the Cambodian people from the Cambodian genocide on January 7, 1979.

In a recent interview with the Vietnamese media on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia ties, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has described the past half a century as a period of paramount importance in the history of relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. He stressed that bilateral ties have stood the test of time despite historical ups and downs.

“Vietnam-Cambodia relations have grown in a multitude of areas. Vietnam, as a neighboring country, always wishes for Cambodia’s peace and prosperity and improved bilateral ties for the benefit of the two peoples and regional peace and stability,” Mr Minh said.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Thach Du told a Phnom Penh-based Voice of Vietnam correspondent that both countries should work harder to elevate two-way trade from US$3 billion at present to US$5 billion in the time ahead.

“Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses should intensify marketing and trade promotion programs. A new trade agreement to place the deal on cross-border goods and service exchanges signed in 2001 will help enhance bilateral trade ties,” Ambassador Du said.