PHNOM PENH – Party General Secretary and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng had talks with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Phnom Penh yesterday, during his ongoing State visit to Cambodia.

The Cambodian King welcomed the Vietnamese leader and described the trip as a significant historical event as the two countries just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the victory over the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.

It is also the first foreign visit of the Vietnamese Party and State leader in his new position, illustrating the special solidarity of Việt Nam and Cambodia, the King said.

He expressed his belief that the visit will open up a new period of development for the two countries’ traditional friendship.

The Cambodian monarch thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their support for Cambodia during their national liberation and fight to overcome genocide, as well as more recently their national reconstruction and development.

He affirmed that Vietnamese people are great, reliable friends of Cambodians and that the Cambodian people will be good neighbours to Việt Nam, standing side by side with the Vietnamese people.

The King pledged to continue doing his utmost to promote the relations between Việt Nam and Cambodia.

He expressed his pleasure and admiration at the remarkable achievements Việt Nam has gained in the cause of reform, considering this a great source of encouragement for Cambodia.

He was confident that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, the Vietnamese people will go on to gain further accomplishments towards realising the target of building a prosperous population; a strong country; and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

Appreciating the warm reception he has received, the Party and State leader said he is happy to visit Cambodia and meet King Norodom Sihamoni again, as well as witness the achievements of the Cambodian people over the past few years, particularly the successful election of the sixth National Assembly and the establishment of a new parliament and government.

He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the King and the Cambodian Royal Government, local people will continue building their country toward harmony, independence, neutrality, democracy, social growth and friendship with all nations.

Reiterating the tradition of mutual support and solidarity shared between the two peoples, the leader expressed his gratitude for Cambodia’s assistance to Viet Nam during its past struggle for national independence and reunification.

Reviewing the growth of bilateral relations over more than five decades, the two leaders spoke with delight on the outcomes resulting from the two nations’ special solidarity.

According to them, bilateral political relations have been fortified via regular visits made by Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders to their respective countries, while economic cooperation has also been thriving, bringing practical benefits to their people. Defence-security and foreign diplomacy affiliations have followed suit, and are pillars of bilateral collaboration.

The two countries have always supported each other and worked together at international forums, actively contributing to peace, stability and co-operation in the region and the world, they noted.

They said that the outcomes of friendship between the two countries in the recent past have become an invaluable treasure to both nations, as well as a foundation and driving force to put Việt Nam-Cambodia ties into a new stage of development.

They affirmed that protecting and developing the relationship is the responsibility of both countries and peoples, especially younger generations.

The two leaders also affirmed they would spare no efforts in fostering the Việt Nam-Cambodia friendship so as to hand over the relationship to future generations.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Government, National Assembly and Senate of Cambodia for their help for the Vietnamese community in the country, while asking the Cambodian King to continue directing the creation of more favourable conditions for them.

He presented 100 computers to the King as gifts for Cambodia’s educational establishments.

Trọng wished the King good health and a long life, while hoping that the King would continue to make greater contributions to the traditional friendship of the two peoples.

He invited the King and the Queen Mother to make a visit to Việt Nam. King Norodom Sihamoni thanked him and accepted the invitation.

The same day, Trọng and the Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the Norodom Sihanouk Monument, as well as visiting Queen Mother Nordom Monineath Sihanouk. Later the day, King Norodom Sihamoni hosted a banquet at the Royal Palace in honour of Party General Secretary and President Trọng and the delegation.

JOINT WORK BETWEEN VIETNAMESE, Laos fronts laud

Earlier in Vientiane, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng has lauded co-operation between the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) over the years. 

During a reception in Vientiane yesterday with Politburo member and President of the LFNC Central Committee Saysomphone Phomvihane, Trọng said the LFNC and VFF held diverse activities to raise friendship between the two countries’ peoples. 

He informed the guest about the outcomes of his talks with Lao Party and State leaders, saying both sides affirmed the strategic significance of and determination to foster traditional friendship between Việt Nam and Laos, considering it an important factor to ensure success of each country’s revolutionary cause and an invaluable asset of the two Parties and nations. 

The leader lauded the LFNC’s role in Laos’ political system with activities to unite people together to realise national development goals under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. 

He wished that the two fronts would continue working closely to enhance information and experience sharing and realise signed agreements. 

In the near future, the two sides need to raise public awareness of the great friendship, solidarity and partnership between Việt Nam and Laos, especially among young generations, he said. 

Phomvihane, for his part, expressed delight at the fact that Trọng chose Laos as the first country to visit in his new position as President. 

He agreed with the Vietnamese leader’s proposal to reinforce ties between the two fronts and their chapters, particularly between the Việt Nam–Laos and Laos–Việt Nam friendship associations. 

Briefing Party General Secretary and President Trọng on the outcomes of work between the two fronts and friendship associations, he said both sides worked to carry out co-operation agreements, thus building a border of peace and friendship. 

The LFNC partnered with the front organisations of Việt Nam and Cambodia to hold and join multilateral activities and forums, thus boosting friendship among the three countries. — VNS