HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng said yesterday that the visit by high-ranking officials of Cambodia to Việt Nam in recent days was a significant event in a series of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The Party leader made the statement while receiving the President of the National Assembly of Cambodia and Chairman of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland, Samdech Heng Samrin, and his delegation in Hà Nội.

President Samrin attended a ceremony held in Hà Nội on Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam- Cambodia diplomatic relations. Yesterday he took part in the third conference of the Presidents of the front organisations of Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam.

General Secretary Trọng congratulated Cambodia on its successes in the local elections this month, and praised achievements the country attained under the rein of King Norodom Sihamoni and the Royal Government.

He said the Party, State and people of Việt Nam always attach special importance to the relationship with Cambodia, and thanked the latter for its assistance for the cause of national liberation in the past and national construction and defence at the present.

For his part, President Samrin affirmed that Cambodia would always cherish the enormous role of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in saving the Cambodian people from the genocidal Pol Pot regime.

He also emphasised that the Government, National Assembly and people of Cambodia view Việt Nam as “good brothers, good friends, good neighbours” and continues to support Việt Nam on regional and international issues.

Praising the host country’s socio-economic development and improved living standard, President Samrin said he was convinced Việt Nam would continue its achievements in industrialisation and modernisation, making it stronger and stronger.

Both Party leader Trọng and NA President Samrin said they expect to further develop the friendship and co-operation between their two countries. — VNS