She said over the last five decades, Cambodia and Vietnam have built up traditional solidarity, friendship and cooperation. They have been side by side as brothers, comrades and neighbours and have obtained enormous victories in cooperation in all spheres.
During wartime, the two countries joined together to fight the common enemies of French colonialists and American imperialists and successfully liberate their nations, thus gaining independence, autonomy and freedom.
The Cambodian people always keep in mind the support of the people and volunteer soldiers of Vietnam, who sacrificed their lives to help free Cambodia from Pol Pot’s genocidal regime on January 7, 1979. After Cambodia was liberated, Vietnam strongly assisted the country to organise local administration and build state power at grassroots levels. It also sent many technical experts to help build a new country of Cambodia and prevent the return of the genocidal regime, she noted.
“The great friend Vietnam helped build peace in Cambodia,” the Deputy PM stressed.
She said people of the two countries have had relations in all aspects, especially goods exchange. Travel activities in border areas are also increasing as both sides agreed to boost transport connectivity in all forms, from roads, waterways to aviation.
Men Sam An said on behalf of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association and the Cambodian people, she thanked the Party, State, army and people of Vietnam for greatly supporting the Cambodian people throughout history.
With regard to the milestones in bilateral ties, she noted the two peoples and armies have been good and faithful neighbours assisting each other in hardships. The two countries have developed very close-knit friendship and cooperation and mutual understanding. The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Cambodian People’s Party also have similar policies which highlight the friendship spirit and not intervene into each other’s internal affairs.
To enhance their relations, Vietnam and Cambodia should maintain all-faceted cooperation, particularly mutual visits to learn from each other’s experience, the official said, adding that they need to together resolve problems and difficulties by peaceful measures and avoid the use of force or weapons.
It is also necessary to educate younger generations to respect each other and love peace, Deputy PM Men Sam An noted.
