Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam (R) receives AKP Deputy General Director Keo Chandara in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam has pledged that the Party, State and Government of Việt Nam support efforts by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Cambodia’s news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) to further bolster their cooperation in the future. 

At a meeting with AKP Deputy General Director Keo Chandara in Hà Nội yesterday, the Deputy PM said that the two agencies should actively work together to provide people of both sides with accurate news from the two countries and about their sound relations. 
VNA and AKP should continue their traditional affiliation activities and seek new measures to improve cooperation efficiency, he said, adding that both sides should make full use of opportunities from the digital era. 
Along with contributing to bilateral ties, the two agencies should strengthen cooperation in the framework of ASEAN and other regional and international collaboration mechanisms to which they are members, said the Deputy PM. 
He highlighted that Việt Nam always gives top priority to the reinforcement and development of friendship and multi-dimensional cooperation with Cambodia. He lauded the VNA’s launching of a news column on Việt Nam-Cambodia relations on the occasion of the Việt Nam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017. 
He told his guest that 2017 is a special year for external activities in Việt Nam as it is host for the APEC Year 2017, asking the AKP to actively cooperate with the VNA to popularise the images of Việt Nam, its people, culture and achievements in foreign relations to Cambodian people and international friends. 
For his part, Kep Chandara briefed his host on the outcomes of his talks with VNA leaders. 
He said the two agencies reached an agreement on the promotion of cooperation and mutual support in professional activities, as well as upgrades to infrastructure, thus contributing to deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries. — VNS