VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked relevant ministries, agencies and localities to speed up preparations for activities to celebrate the two countries’ Friendship Year.

2012 will be observed as the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties (June 24).

To this end, a project has been formulated, under which a grand meeting will be held with the participation of senior leaders of the two countries. This will be followed by reciprocal official visits by the leaders.

Vietnam and Cambodia will inaugurate land border marker No314, the last along the two countries’ border. They will present their high distinctions to individuals who have made significant contributions to bilateral relationship.

Other major highlights will include trade promotion activities, media campaigns, the organization of cultural weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia, and students and people-to-people exchanges.

Ministries, agencies and localities should draw up specific action plans to carry out their activities in collaboration with their Cambodian counterparts, Deputy PM Phuc said at a conference in Hanoi on May 10.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to arrange the exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries.

The Party Commission for Communication and Education and the Ministry of Information and Communication will develop information dissemination plans, aimed at raising public awareness of the time-honoured relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia, especially among young people.

According to Phuc, who is also head of the steering committee for the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year, investment and trade promotion programs should be carefully made to support businesses in increasing exchanges and establishing long-term partnerships.

VietNamNet/VOV