The third Vietnam-Cambodia Defence Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level was organised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on December 21.

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh

Vietnam’s Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Secretary of State at the Cambodian Defence Ministry Neang Phat co-chaired the event.

The two sides shared views on the issues affecting the stability and peace of both Vietnam and Cambodia, reviewed the outcomes of bilateral defence relations, and agreed on cooperation orientations in the future.

They agreed that the two countries have coordinated well in realising the Protocol and Plan on cooperation between the Defence Ministries. The border management and protection work was implemented actively, while the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who died in wartime in Cambodia made progress.

A protocol on cooperation in regular search and rescue in land border areas was also signed.

Regarding cooperation orientations for 2018, both sides reached a consensus on intensifying high-level meetings, maintaining regular information exchanges, and continuing collaboration in political and ideological education and dissemination on the traditional friendship between the two countries and their armies.

They vowed to strengthen coordination between border management and protection forces in order to safeguard each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The priority will be given to boosting cooperation in the defence industry and coordinating in search and rescue operations in border areas to realise the protocol signed this year.

After the dialogue, representatives from the Vietnam Coast Guard High Command and the Cambodian National Committee for Maritime Security signed an agreement to set up a hotline between the two offices.

Earlier on the day, Vinh offered incense to martyrs at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument, and paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He also had a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh.-VNA