Both countries have agreed to accelerate the border delineation and land border marker planting to boost border trade and facilitate the exchange of goods.

The 7th meeting on Cooperation and Development between border provinces of Cambodia and Vietnam was held from March 8-9 in HCM City under the co-chairmanship of Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Home Affairs Sar Kheng.

The event drew the participation of leaders from different ministries and sectors, chairs and vice chairs from 20 border provinces of Vietnam and Cambodia, along with Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia Ngo Anh Dung, and Cambodian ambassador to Vietnam Hul Phany.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of agreements from the sixth meeting held in August 2010. Both sides noted with satisfaction the fine development of the ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation, and praised the coordination between ministries, sectors and border localities in effectively carrying out all the agreements which contributed to bringing two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia to more than US$2.8 billion in 2011, 55 percent higher than 2010.

Bilateral cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fishery, industry, mining, energy, transport, telecommunication, education and training, healthcare and infrastructure development has progressed, benefiting people living in the two countries’ border areas.

Remarkable progress has been seen in border delineation and border marker planting, ensuring border security and promoting cross-cultural exchange in border provinces as well as mutual understanding, solidarity and cooperation.

The meeting reached a strong consensus on orientations and specific measures to boost cooperation between border provinces for mutual benefits during the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012.

Both sides agreed to increase cooperation between ministries, sectors and localities, striving to bring two-way trade turnover to US$5 billion in the next five years, and facilitate investment and cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fishery, healthcare, human resources training and infrastructure development in border areas.

They pledged not to allow any hostile forces to use their territories to infringe upon the security, safety or stability of the bordering country, and agreed to enhance cooperation in maintaining stability and order in border areas, controlling and preventing trans-national crime and promoting cross-cultural exchange.

FM Binh Minh spoke highly of the two countries’ efforts to implement all cooperation agreements over the past time and highlighted the special significance and importance of strengthening friendship and cooperation between border localities to tap into the strength of and contribute to the friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

FM Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Home Affairs Sar Kheng asked delegates to coordinate their actions in implementing the orientations and specific measures adopted at the meeting to ensure political security and social order, improve people’s living standards and build the common border into an area of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

The two sides issued a joint communiqué after the conclusion of the meeting.

VNA