Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc meets Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Bình Dương Province yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

BÌNH DƯƠNG — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday hailed the brotherly support from the Vietnamese army and people in liberating Cambodia from Pol Pot’s barbaric regime.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen told Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc in a meeting in Bình Dương Province yesterday that he was grateful for the sacrifices Việt Nam made for Cambodia.

“There would be no Cambodia now if not for Việt Nam [’s sacrifice],” he said.

Yesterday’s meeting between the two leaders was the last leg of a trip to southern Việt Nam by the Cambodian PM and his cabinet. The trip was made on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of Hun Sen leaving Cambodia to seek help from Việt Nam against the Pol Pot regime. This year also marks the 50^th year since the two neighbouring countries established diplomatic relations on June 24, 1967.

Earlier in the day, Hun Sen revisited the places he and his comrades had departed from in Cambodia, traveling across the border to Lộc Ninh District in Bình Phước Province, and launching their revolutionary fight to save the Cambodian people.

Accompanying him on this trip were five deputy ministers and top army leaders together with heads of some localities in the Kingdom of Cambodia.   

PM Hun Sen and PM Phúc yesterday also co-chaired a talk with the people of Bình Phước, which was attended by more than 250 Cambodian citizens and students who are living and studying in Việt Nam. Over 800 Vietnamese including veterans who previously fought in Cambodia or used to be experts helping to rebuild the post-war country were also present at the talk.

Recalling the difficult days when the two countries fought for their national liberation, shoulder to shoulder,  PM Phúc said that “the destinies of the two peoples are inseparable, which is a proven truth considering the histories of the two nations.”

“Việt Nam will always be a friend to Cambodia and the Cambodian people,” he added. — VNS