Hun Sen praises bilateral cooperation with Vietnam

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Vietnam is a good neighbour of Cambodia with the relationship based on principles of mutual trust and respect, and non-interference in internal affairs. Bilateral cooperation between the two countries is steadily growing, he added.

At the November 8 Cambodia-Vietnam Investment and Trade Promotion Forum 2022, held in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen stated that Vietnam and Cambodia have had good relations for a long time through senior leaders’ visit exchanges and regular contact between the people of the two countries.

“This is a clear demonstration of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability based on the principles of mutual trust and respect, non-interference in internal affairs and support for each other – socially, economically, politically and diplomatically,” he said.

“Bilateral cooperation between our two countries has steadily grown through the growth of trade, investment and tourism cooperation. This became especially clear though the mutual assistance we provided in the fight against Covid-19, in terms of spirit, budget and medical equipment,” he added.

He said Cambodia and Vietnam had been ranked highest among Asian countries for their Covid-19 responses by the prominent Japanese-run daily NIKKEI, which evaluated countries by their government’s ability to prevent the spread of the virus, the implementation of vaccination campaigns and the restoration of socio-economic activity.

He added that this assessment reflected the ability of Cambodia and Vietnam to recover socially and economically. They had opened the door to foreign tourists and businesspeople before many other countries, and successfully lifted several restrictive measures.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the forum that the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship is an invaluable asset and should be nurtured.

Chinh is paying a two-day visit from November 8-9 before attending the ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Phnom Penh.

National Assembly (NA) president Heng Samrin said Chinh’s visit not only contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, but also demonstrated the neighbour’s willingness to support Cambodia in its role as hosts of the upcoming summit.

In their November 8 meeting, Samrin said Chinh’s presence also reflects the recent progress of bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in the executive framework. The governments of the two countries have always worked closely and supported each other in both regional and international frameworks, he added.

According to the NA’s November 8 press release, Chinh congratulated the recent commune elections in Cambodia, stating that the success is a prelude to a smooth general election in 2023.

Samrin praised the progress of cooperation between the governments of the two countries, which has been effective in all fields, including political diplomacy, economy and trade, investment, education, health and cultural exchanges.

He said the national assemblies of both nations have always supported each other in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks through inter-parliamentary forums.

By Ry Sochan – The Phnom Penh Post – November 9, 2022