Defence cooperation is seen as one of the important pillars in the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia, said Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

General Ngo Xuan Lich (L) and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen

At a reception in Phnom Penh on December 28 for General Ngo Xuan Lich, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, the PM expressed his delight at the successful defence ties between the two nations over the past time. 

He affirmed that Cambodia always attaches importance to preserving and deepening its traditional solidary and friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, for the interests of the two countries’ people as well as for peace, stability and development.

Minister Lich congratulated Cambodian on the successful organisation of the 6th National Assembly election and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) on its victory in the election, saying the result reflected the acknowledgement, trust and aspiration of the Cambodian people for a good future of the country under the leadership of the CPP and the government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Informing the host of the outcomes of his talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samdech Tea Banh, Lich said the bilateral defence collaboration has recorded practical achievements in recent years. 

In the coming time, the two sides agreed to step up affiliation in various fields, especially communications and education, personnel training, delegation exchange, border management and exchange, as well as search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Cambodia, he said.

He also proposed the Cambodian Government and Prime Minister Hun Sen continue support the collaboration between the two armies.

In reply, the Cambodian PM said the two militaries should continue enhancing solidarity and intensive cooperation in every aspect so as to make defence ties a pillar in the relations between the two countries. 

He praised the two armies for realising the Protocol on Regular Search and Rescue in land border areas, including the organisation of search and rescue drills. 

The leader asked both sides to continue implementing projects to repair and renovate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monuments, affirming that Cambodia will coordinate with Vietnamese units to speed up the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Cambodia.

Earlier on December 27, Minister Ngo Xuan Lich held talks with his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, during which he stressed that since the two countries set up their diplomatic ties in 1967, the bilateral relations have been continuously consolidated and developed in all fields, including defence. He expressed his belief that the meeting will create a new momentum to deepen the defence cooperation between the two nations.

Tea Banh affirmed that the Cambodian people and army always treasure the traditional friendly neighbourliness with the Vietnamese counterparts, vowing to do his best to preserve, foster and develop the fine relationship.

The two ministers agreed to increase coordination in realising the Protocol on Regular Search and Rescue in land border areas and the annual collaboration plans, pay attention to stepping up communications and education work, improve training quality, and strengthen links between military units in border areas.

They also consented to speed up the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Cambodia as well as complete the building and upgrading of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monuments.

Following the talks, Ministers Ngo Xuan Lich and Tea Banh signed a cooperation plan between the two defence ministries for 2019. 

During his stay, the Vietnamese defence minister laid a wreath at the Independence Monument and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument in the capital city of Phnom Penh, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in the country.

Vietnam, Laos deepen defence cooperation

Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich at the meeting 

Vietnam – Laos defence cooperation is always one of the important pillars in bilateral ties, Vietnamese and Lao defence ministers have affirmed. 

During talks in Phnom Penh on December 28 with Politburo member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Defence Minister Chansamone Chanyalath, Politburo member and Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich said the meeting takes place at a time when the Lao People’s Army is preparing to celebrate its 75th founding anniversary and the Vietnam People’s Army will mark its 75th founding anniversary next year. 

He added that the meeting will create a new driving force for and further deepen bilateral defence partnership. 

Chanyalath, for his part, affirmed that Laos attaches importance to relations with Vietnam, saying that bilateral defence relationship is special. 

Both sides agreed to continue strengthening the sharing of experience in Party and political work, raising public awareness of friendship between the two countries and armies, contributing to fostering traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two peoples and armies. 

They pledged to monitor the implementation of signed cooperation agreements in 2019, especially in personnel training, considering it an issue of strategic benefit to the two nations. 

The ministers suggested that the two armies strengthen border management and protection, with a focus on exchanges and twinning between localities and border units, and mutual support. 

They also agreed to assign units concerned to review bilateral coordination for the 2015-2019 period, thereby proposing cooperation contents for the time to come. 

Following the talks, the two ministers signed a cooperation plan for 2019 between the two ministries. 

Lich is in Cambodia to attend the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia defence ministers’ conference and the inauguration of a victory monument.

VNA