PM Hun Sen once again thanked Vietnam for its great assistance to Cambodia in its struggle to overthrow the genocidal regime as well as in Cambodia’s reconstruction efforts even when Vietnam was getting into difficulties due to embargo.
The two sides greatly appreciated the signing of two legal documents recognizing the completion of 84%of land demarcation and marker planting, considering this a historical milestone in the settlement of border issues as well as in building the shared border of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development.
They noted with joy positive development strides in the bilateral relations in the recent past, especially growth in trade and tourism, and reached a high consensus on measures to augment cooperation in the time ahead.
The two PMs consented to incessantly foster bilateral relations under the motto of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” in the spirit of trust, equality, mutual respect and mutually-beneficial cooperation.
They concurred to deepen the political ties by intensifying all-level delegation exchange and promoting the efficiency of dialogue and bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
The two government leaders pledged to strengthen the exchange of viewpoints on strategic security issues and step up coordination to firmly protect the peaceful environment, security and stability in each country while persistently pursuing the principle of not allowing any organizations and individuals to use one country’s territory to harm the other’s security.
They stated that, as two neighbours, Vietnam and Cambodia boast huge potential and advantages to further advance cooperation in economics, trade and investment.
Host and guest agreed to enhance connectivity between the two economies, especially connecting roads, waterway routes, electricity, tourism, finance and banking.
The two sides will work together on building favourable policy frameworks for businesses, particularly small-and medium-sized enterprises to expand investment.
They agreed to direct the two countries’ ministries and sectors to devise more measures to boost the bilateral trade, which is likely to outstrip US$5 billion this year.
PM Hun Sen thanked Vietnam for providing non-refundable aid for Cambodia to fund the construction of the National Assembly building, a drug rehabilitation centre in Preah Sihanouk province and a model border market, among others, as well as granting a lot of scholarships for Cambodian students and Government public servants.
The pair reached a consensus on seeking the most suitable measures to help Vietnamese-Cambodians enjoy stable lives and legal status so that they can make greater contributions to the socio-economic development in the host nation.
Regarding regional and international issues, they laid stress on the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, and affirmed closer coordination to build and develop the ASEAN Community, uphold the ASEAN’s principles, while consolidating solidarity and resilience, and promoting the central role of the regional grouping.
They were of the same mind about stronger cooperation in the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle and Greater Mekong Sub-region to narrow the development gap, and better manage and effectively use Mekong River’s water resources towards carrying out the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The two PMs underlined the need for both nations to boost closer cooperation in 2020 when Vietnam assumes the role of ASEAN Chair and Cambodia hosts the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 13).
After the talk, PM Phuc and his Cambodian counterpart witnessed the signing of seven cooperative documents, including an aid agreement on financing construction of the building of the Cambodian National Assembly’s Secretariat, an aid agreement on the building of a drug rehabilitation centre in Preah Sihanouk province, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on customs cooperation, a MoU on trade promotion cooperation, a MoU on border trade infrastructure development, a MoU on construction progress and handover of a model border market in Da commune, Cambodia’s Tbong Khmum province, and a MoU on electricity cooperation.
