HCM CITY — Việt Nam and Cambodia discussed how to maintain security, stability and peace, especially in their border regions, a conference heard in HCM City on Thursday.

Speaking at the 10th Conference on Co-operation and Development of Vietnamese and Cambodian border provinces, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh said the two nations have had good neighbourly relations for long.

“The recent 40th anniversary of the victory against the Pol Pot reactionary group was great proof of the solidarity and special friendship between Việt Nam and Cambodia, " said the Deputy PM.

“The relationship between the two nations is developing based on the motto of good neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-term sustainability.”

Since the previous conference, ties between the two nations’ border provinces have grown remarkably, helping ensure border security and sustain trade, he said.

“However, we are facing many challenges in promoting trade, attracting investment in infrastructure and developing the socio-economy. I hope the conference would find a way to address the challenges and create new development trends,” Minh said.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Samdech Sar Kheng thanked the Vietnamese side for its hospitality and said: “We are satisfied by what we have achieved since the ninth conference held in Cambodia from March 13 to 15, 2017.

"We deeply appreciate the active co-ordination and frequent meetings between the two nations’ relevant authorities and local governments in implementing the agreements signed at the ninth conference.

“Such achievements have played a very important role in boosting socio-economic development and co-operation between the two nations, and their friendly relations in various spheres, including maintaining security and order, trade, tourism, training, healthcare, and demarcation of borders.

“Relevant authorities in the border provinces of the two countries have held frequent meetings to create a peaceful border.”

Neighbourly ties between Việt Nam and Cambodia have strengthened and reached a new level, he said.

“In recent times high-ranking officials from the two nations have regularly met each other to frankly discuss and thoroughly resolve many issues.

“Frequent meetings between border authorities have promoted development, ensuring safety and security for local residents.

“However, the two nations should work closely to fight trans-border crime, protect natural resources and the environment, and develop education, healthcare, transportation, and electricity.

“The desire of both nations’ governments and peoples is stability, peace and development, especially in the border region.”

In recent years the two countries have signed eight important agreements in transport, education and healthcare, and soon the Xã Đa border market will open.

Việt Nam and Cambodia shared a border of 1,137km, and they have demarcated 84 per cent of it, installing border markers. — VNS