Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh and Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn renewed the efforts to unceasingly cement and deepen the comprehensive cooperation and friendly neighbourliness between the two countries in the new situation.

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh (R) shakes hands with Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn

The leaders held talks in Hanoi on November 27 during the Cambodian guest’s two-day official visit to Vietnam from November 26.

They noted sound developments in the bilateral ties since the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee in May 2018, especially the two-way trade value that is likely surpassing 4 billion USD this year.

They agreed to push for the implementation of measures to facilitate trade, in particular border trade, speed up transport connectivity, and apply the “one-stop” mechanism at border gates to bring two-way trade to 5 billion USD. 

Prak Sokhonn suggested Vietnamese businesses continue expanding their investment, affirming that the Cambodian Government will work harder to make it easier for them to feel safe when investing in Cambodia.

The leaders agreed to continue the sound cooperation in education-training, tourism, and cultural and people-to-people exchange to consolidate the solidarity and educate younger generations on the historical tradition of Vietnam-Cambodia ties.

They reached a consensus on increasing bilateral coordination to actively carry out agreements reached by top leaders pertaining to the land border demarcation and marker planting, the processing of legal papers for Cambodians with Vietnamese origin, and the removal of floating houses of those residing on Tonle Sap Lake in Kampong Chhnang province, to bolster the bilateral ties in the future.

They spoke highly of the countries’ cooperation at regional and international forums, asserting the importance of reinforcing the unity and central role of ASEAN in the regional architecture as well as maintaining firmly the group’s goals and basic principles.

The leaders agreed to promote collaboration in the framework of the Greater Mekong Sub-region and the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle to narrow the development gap, and manage and use Mekong river water resources sustainably.

They affirmed mutual support and close coordination in 2020 when Vietnam performs the ASEAN Chair and Cambodia hosts the 13th ASEM summit.

On the East Sea issue, they stressed the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the waters, addressing disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law and the UNCLOS 1982, and speeding up the negotiations on an effective, practical code of conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law.  

They agreed to carry out periodical exchanges between the two foreign ministries to boost their information sharing and coordination, and promote training and research cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Diplomacy and the newly-established Academy of Diplomacy and International Relations of Cambodia.-VNA