Deputy PM on visit to Cambodia

Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Phnom Penh yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Khu

PHNOM PENH — Viet Nam always attaches importance to its traditional relationship with Cambodia, which has been fostered by generations of the two nations' leaders and people.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc voiced this affirmation yesterday during a three-day working visit to Cambodia, while meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, Acting President of the Senate Say Chhum, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.

Viet Nam has been proactive in helping Cambodia fulfill its duties as ASEAN Chair in 2012, both for the interests of ASEAN in general and the two countries in particular. Viet Nam also supports Cambodia's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2013-2014 term, he added.

Phuc spoke highly of the tradition of friendship between the countries and said that efforts should be continued to nurture and deepen their bilateral relations.

Cambodian leaders also expressed pleasure at the close relationship that has developed.

Say Chhum and Heng Samrin stressed that Cambodia considers Viet Nam good neighbour, good friend, good brother and good partner.

The leaders agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and exchanges among the people, especially between bordering provinces. The two sides should closely coordinate to realise development agreements reached at a conference in March 2007, they said.

The Cambodian leaders expressed their gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, Government, volunteer soldiers and people for their valuable and timely help for Cambodia in the struggle against the Khmer Rouge, as well as in their current national construction and development.

Both sides highly valued the joint organisation of numerous activities celebrating the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012 and the 45th anniversary of the two countries' bilateral diplomatic ties.

As for common regional and international concerns, both sides agreed to contribute more to building the ASEAN Community by 2015 and ensuring an environment of peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

They also reached the consensus that the disputes should be resolved by peaceful means in order to respect international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as implementing the Declaration of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). — VNS