HÀ NỘI – Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng has sent a message to Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, expressing his thanks for the warm welcome given to him by the King, the country’s leaders and people.

In his message, the Vietnamese Party chief said he believes after his State visit to Cambodia from July 20-22, the friendship and long-term co-operation will develop to new heights. He also expressed his hope that Cambodia will reap more significant achievements in the cause of national building and defense.

Hoàng Bình Quân, member of the Party Central Committee and head of the Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, told the press that the visit to Cambodia by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng is an important historical milestone marking 50 years of diplomatic ties.

The two countries are aware that mutual assistance in recent years was invaluable and should be preserved and promoted, he said.

“In any circumstances, Việt Nam and Cambodia must always be good, sincere, and faithful neighbours having close-knit ties, and all-faceted, efficient and concrete co-operation,” the official said.

He added that for the first time, the two countries’ ministers of Foreign Affairs signed a joint statement enhancing the Việt Nam-Cambodia friendship and all-around collaboration, witnessed by the Vietnamese Party chief, the Cambodian Prime Minister and other leaders.

The two sides also signed a number of co-operation documents, including a framework agreement on connecting the Việt Nam-Cambodia economies; a protocol on coordination of rescue in the land border areas; a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation to develop hydropower projects and trade electricity; and a MoU on building Cambodia’s e-government.

 Party General Secretary Trọng and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Minister of the Royal Palace Samdech Kong Som Ol on Saturday cut the ribbon to inaugurate a Việt Nam-Cambodia Friendship Monument in Preah Sihanouk Province.

The Party leader said construction of the monument reflects the tribute paid by the Parties, States, people and armies of the two countries to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, as well as officers and soldiers of the Cambodian Royal Army who laid down their lives for Cambodia’s independence and freedom.

Senate President Samdech Say Chhum said the two countries have cooperated in building Cambodia-Việt Nam Friendship monuments in Phnom Penh and 16 provinces, including Preah Sihanouk, since the 1980s to pay homage to their soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the struggle against the Pol Pot genocidal regime.

Party General Secretary Trọng visited the Preah Sihanouk International Seaport, the country’s only deep-water port, through which up to 73 per cent of Cambodia’s imports and exports are transported. It has contributed US$65 million to the country’s State budget in recent years. — VNS