At the meeting, Dao Ngoc Dung congratulated the ambassador on her appointment, describing the position as a crucial link in each country’s foreign relations, particularly as ties between Vietnam and Cambodia continue to deepen across multiple dimensions.

He expressed confidence that, with her experience and affection for Vietnam, Ambassador Touch Sopharath would have a successful tenure, leaving a meaningful mark and further strengthening the traditional friendship between the two nations. He also emphasized the importance of effectively implementing cooperation commitments signed under the witness of senior leaders, spanning political, economic and people-to-people diplomacy.

Ambassador Touch Sopharath, for her part, expressed appreciation for the warm and respectful reception extended by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. She congratulated Vietnam on the success of its 14th Party Congress as well as its notable socio-economic achievements in recent years.

She also acknowledged Vietnam’s progress in streamlining its administrative apparatus and voiced her desire to enhance coordination between Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and Cambodia’s Ministry of Cult and Religion, with a view to effectively implementing bilateral cooperation agreements.

The ambassador proposed increasing delegation exchanges and promoting dialogue and experience-sharing in religious affairs. She expressed hope for continued support from the Vietnamese ministry and relevant agencies to help her fulfill the responsibilities entrusted by the Cambodian government.

During the exchange, Minister Dung noted that both Vietnam and Cambodia are multi-ethnic and multi-religious countries, sharing many similarities in governance and social development.

He expressed agreement with the ambassador’s proposals and reaffirmed that Vietnam - Cambodia relations constitute a special partnership, rooted not only in diplomacy but also in closely intertwined development interests.

“A stable Cambodia is the foundation for Vietnam’s development, and vice versa,” he said.

According to the minister, bilateral relations in politics, economics and people-to-people diplomacy have continued to strengthen in recent years, guided by the 16-word motto: “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability,” which is increasingly being translated into concrete and effective outcomes.

Minister Dung also shared Vietnam’s determination to become a developed country by 2045. From 2026 onward, the country aims to achieve double-digit economic growth while maintaining political stability and reinforcing public trust.

“In that process, harmoniously addressing ethnic and religious issues is identified as a long-term strategy, contributing to strengthening national unity,” he stressed.

He further noted that the two ministries have already signed a cooperation program in religious affairs, focusing on key areas such as institutional development, state management and organizing exchange activities among ethnic minority communities and religious organizations.

The minister called on the ambassador to continue supporting coordination between the two countries in international forums, fostering a unified voice and preventing the misuse of issues such as democracy, human rights or misinformation that could harm national interests.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting people-to-people exchanges, particularly in border provinces, as a foundation for sustaining long-term bilateral relations.

Minister Dung affirmed that Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs would continue to work closely with Ambassador Touch Sopharath, creating favorable conditions for her to successfully carry out her mission and contribute to further strengthening the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Hoang Quy