Phnom Penh – Vietnam and Cambodia have issued a joint statement on the state visit to Cambodia from February 25 to 26 by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong.

The statement notes that during the trip, the Vietnamese leader had talks with Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni; visited Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk; and met with Senate President Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, President of the National Assembly Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, and President of the Cambodian People’s Party and Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

The leaders informed each other about their respective countries’ current situation, discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

The two sides expressed their delight at the sound development of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, which have helped ensure peace and stability as well as brought practical benefits to the two peoples.

The Vietnamese side stressed that "it always treasures the good sentiment of and wants to express gratitude to late King Norodom Sihanouk, King Norodom Sihamoni, and the leaders and people of Cambodia for their precious support for the Vietnamese people during the struggle for national independence and reunification in the past and development efforts at present".

Both sides welcomed the ruling on the genocide of the Khmer Rouge regime issued on November 16, 2018 by the international tribunal. The Cambodian side expressed profound thanks for the great support and assistance of Vietnamese leaders and people throughout history. They affirmed that the Cambodian people would never forget Vietnam’s priceless support for their fight to liberate the country from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime in 1979, along with its contributions to the recovery and rebuilding of Cambodia.

Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders shared the view that the safeguarding and development of the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability are the common responsibility of both nations and peoples for the sake of the two countries’ sustainable development and bright future, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, according to the statement.

They agreed to intensify political relations; improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms; and expand ties between ministries, sectors, and people’s organisations.

The leaders also agreed to strongly promote partnerships in economy, culture, education, healthcare, and science-technology on the basis of each country’s potential and advantages. They said measures would be carried out to improve their countries’ investment environment and boost bilateral trade to US$5 billion in the near future after the figure reached $4.7 billion in 2018.

Both sides emphasised the importance of and concurred on the enhancing of defence-security cooperation in the principles of not allowing any political or military forces to use one country’s territory to harm the other’s security, and resolving problems between countries by peaceful means.

Vietnam and Cambodia will step up coordination to ensure political stability, security, and social order and safety in both countries. They will also increase cooperation in natural disaster prevention and control, the organisation of joint search and rescue exercises, the fight against transnational crimes, and efforts to search for and repatriate the remains of Vietnam’s volunteer soldiers in Cambodia.

The Vietnamese side thanked Cambodia for its support for and fair treatment of people of Vietnamese origin.

The two sides also affirmed their commitment to respecting and fully implementing border demarcation agreements along with border-related deals between their countries. They highly valued the efforts of the joint committee on completing 84 percent of the land border demarcation and border marker planting work.

They agreed to regularly share information, coordinate closely, and support each other in international and regional issues – especially within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations, and the Mekong subregion’s cooperation mechanisms.

According to the joint statement, the leaders reiterated the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. They agreed to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea, self-restraint, and no use of or threat to use force, while complying with the broadly recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They pledged to join relevant parties in fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and promoting the early finalisation of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the waters.

The two sides highly valued the fine outcomes and historic significance of the state visit by Party General Secretary and President Trong.

The Vietnamese leader invited King Norodom Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, and other Cambodian leaders to visit Vietnam. The Cambodian hosts accepted the invitation with pleasure. –VNA