Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong is paying a state visit to Cambodia from February 25-26 at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni.

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to enhance the political trust between the two countries during a meeting in Phnom Penh on February 26.

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (R) meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on February 26

PM Hun Sen, who is also President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), hailed the Vietnamese leader’s State visit, describing it as a demonstration of the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship and long-term cohesion between the CPP and the Communist Party of Vietnam, the two Governments and the two peoples. He said it will herald a new stage for bilateral relations.

The Cambodian leader expressed profound gratitude to Vietnam for its enormous support for his country throughout history, affirming that the Cambodian people always keep in mind the sincere and effective assistance that has helped Cambodians liberate their country from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime in 1979 and rebuild the country.

Party General Secretary and President Trong congratulated Cambodia on its major development attainments, the successful election of the sixth National Assembly, and the establishment of a new Government.

He voiced his belief that with the support of the Cambodian people and parliament, the new Government will lead the country to successfully overcome all difficulties and challenges to harvest even greater achievements.

Vietnam always highly prioritises relations with Cambodia and the CPP, he said, stressing that the Vietnamese Party, State and people will exert every effort to join their Cambodian counterparts in developing bilateral ties for the sake of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The leader once again thanked Cambodia for its substantial support for Vietnam in the past and at present.

At the meeting, the two sides informed each other of their respective countries’ situation and discussed measures to foster bilateral cooperation in all aspects. They agreed to promote political relations through frequent meetings and increase the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms.

PM Hun Sen said he hopes the two sides’ authorities will facilitate bilateral trading activities. He also stated that the Cambodian Government will provide more favourable conditions for investors, calling on Vietnamese businesses to boost investment in his country.

On this occasion, General Secretary and President Trong also thanked the Cambodian side for supporting the people of the Vietnamese origin in the country. He asked PM Hun Sen to direct the Cambodian Government to take appropriate measures to ensure legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese-Cambodians.

PM Hun Sen affirmed that he and his Government will always create favourable conditions for the community.

Following the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents between the countries.

Also on February 26, General Secretary and President Trong had a meeting with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of Vietnamese people and businesses in Cambodia.

Later the same day, he and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam left Phnom Penh, wrapping up the State visit to Cambodia.

VN top leader meets with Cambodia’s Senate, NA Presidents

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (L) meets with President of the Camdodian Senate Say Chhum

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong had separate meetings with President of the Camdodian Senate Say Chhum and President of the country’s National Assembly Heng Samrin in Phnom Penh on February 26.

Speaking of the significance of the State visit by the Vietnamese top leader, the hosts believed that the visit will contribute to nurturing and deepening relations between the two nations as well as the two legislative bodies.

They also expressed their impression with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, while appreciating its increasing position and role in the region and the world.

Thanking the Cambodian leaders and people for their warm welcome, Trong affirmed that the priority of Vietnam’s consistent policy is to continuously consolidate and develop ties with its neighbouring countries, including Cambodia.

He underlined a common perception reached by him and King Norodom Sihamoni which confirms that the traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cambodia is their shared valuable asset and of significance for the national construction and defence in each country and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

The Vietnamese Party and State leader spoke highly of the important role of the two legislatures in boosting the bilateral relations. He suggested both sides maintain delegation exchanges at all levels to intensify mutual understanding, share experience in legislative affairs, and create favourable legal conditions for Vietnamese people living in Cambodia and vice versa.

The hosts, in turn, voiced their wish to develop friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, and expand people-to-people exchanges, particularly between the young generations.

They affirmed they always pay special attention to promoting collaboration in all aspects between the two countries, adding that Cambodian legislative offices will coordinate closely with the Government in consolidating the bilateral comprehensive collaboration and stepping up the settlement of existing issues in a fair manner with mutual respects.

Both hosts and guest agreed that along with bilateral cooperation, the two countries should strengthen cooperation, promote the efficiency of the consultation mechanisms, and coordinate closely at inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

It is also necessary to work together to well implement joint statements and cooperation agreements, and create a more favourable legal framework for economic and trade collaboration, they stated.

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong arrives at Pochentong International Airport, Phnom Penh, February 25 Vietnamese and Cambodian representatives welcomes Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong at the airport Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An welcomes Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong at Pochentong International Airport King Norodom Sihamoni hosts a reception for Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, February 25  Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni hosted a state banquet for visiting Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong in Phnom Penh, February 25 Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong meets President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin in Phnom Penh, February 26, 2019 Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong meets President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin in Phnom Penh, February 26, 2019 Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin pose for group photos with delegates

VNA