NA Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng welcomes Second Vice President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Khuon Sudary in Hà Nội on Friday.— VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) of Việt Nam prioritises the relationship with its Cambodian counterpart, NA Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng said during talks with Second Vice President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Khuon Sudary in Hà Nội on Friday.

Following the state visit to Cambodia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng last month, Sudary’s visit is a chance to enhance comprehensive co-operation between the two countries and their legislatures, she said.

Vice Chairwoman Phóng congratulated Cambodia on the successful organisation of its general election in 2018. She said the landslide victory for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) demonstrated the absolute confidence of Cambodian voters and people in the CPP’s leadership.

The Vietnamese lawmaker also extended her congratulations to the Cambodian NA on the successful hosting of the 27th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Siem Reap last January.

Recent high-level visits between the two Parties, States and NAs marked a new stage in the development of the Việt Nam-Cambodia relationship, she said.

Phóng suggested the two sides maintain their relations through all diplomatic channels including their parties, states and especially NAs, along with people-to-people diplomacy.

She called for a joint effort to educate the young generations of Việt Nam and Cambodia about traditions and the history of relations between the two parties and states, and about strengthening the long-standing solidarity between the two countries.

The two legislatures should intensify co-ordination in supervising the implementation of agreements reached by the two governments and promote the planting of border markers to build a peaceful border area. These moves would boost friendship and development for the common interests of both nations, helping to ensure peace and stability in the region, she said.

Phóng proposed Cambodia create optimal conditions for Vietnamese businesses to operate in the country, and thanked senior Cambodian leaders for their attention to issues relating to Vietnamese-Cambodians. She expressed the hope that the community would receive more assistance to stabilise their lives.

The Vietnamese leader also suggested the two sides continue to support each other at international forums, which would help enhance the prestige of the two countries and their legislative agencies.

Phóng voiced her hope the Cambodian legislature and government would back Việt Nam’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

Sudary highlighted the sustainable development of relations between the two countries and their legislatures.

Congratulating Việt Nam on achievements under the CPV’s leadership, she said the country held an increasingly important role in the region and the world.

The Cambodian leader lauded Việt Nam’s development and noted her belief that the country would soon complete its targets of national industrialisation and modernisation.

Sudary said Cambodia was stepping up the deployment of strategies to raise living standards and help the country develop.

Cambodia was working to increase public services, she said, stressing that the country placed importance on diplomatic and economic affairs and tourism promotion to accelerate its development. — VNS