Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (right) holds talks with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin.- VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân held talks with her Cambodian counterpart Samdech Heng Samrin following an official welcome ceremony for the latter in Hà Nội yesterday.

During their talks, the leaders agreed on the need to step up delegation and people-to-people exchanges and maintain co-ordination in carrying out signed agreements. They also highlighted the importance of regularly educating the two countries’ peoples, especially younger generations, on the solidarity, friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Việt Nam and Cambodia.

The leaders underlined that Việt Nam and Cambodia had been working on fostering collaboration in economy, trade and investment, reflected in bilateral trade reaching US$4.7 billion last year, a 23.7 per cent rise year-on-year.

Heng Samrin, who is on an official visit to Việt Nam from May 28-30, pledged the Cambodian legislature’s strong support for the two governments’ efforts to connect their economies to strive for $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2020; educate younger generations on maintaining and promoting the bilateral relations; intensifying people-to-people exchanges and co-operation in defence, security, counter-terrorism and information sharing; and building a peaceful and friendly border.

He took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for supporting Cambodia, particularly in helping the country escape from the Khmer Rouge regime in the past and boosting national development at present.

Ngân, in turn, said Việt Nam had long considered Cambodia’s security and defence as a crucial factor in Việt Nam’s own security and defence.

She asked the Cambodian side to help in the search for and repatriation of the remains of volunteer Vietnamese soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Cambodia, as well as the construction, restoration and repair of Việt Nam-Cambodia friendship monuments in the country.

The leaders expressed their delight at the achievements gained by Việt Nam and Cambodia in border demarcation, with 84 per cent of the work completed.

For border sections yet to be demarcated, Ngan requested both sides continue discussions to seek mutually fair and suitable agreements.

She spoke highly of Cambodia’s efforts to grant legal documents to Vietnamese Cambodians, and urged agencies and localities to issue specific and clear regulations on the rights and obligations of those holding foreign registration cards.

Regarding the resettlement of Vietnamese people in Tonle Sap Lake, Ngân asked the Cambodian side to ensure the lives, interests and assets of relocated people. She said Việt Nam would work with Cambodia to provide support for them.

The NA Chairwoman also stressed that Việt Nam hoped to continue co-operating with Cambodia in managing the use of the Mekong River sustainably, exploiting its hydropower potential appropriately and effectively, while ensuring the water source and environmental safety and security.

For regional cooperation, Ngân suggested both nations maintain close coordination in boosting cooperation initiatives suitable for their interests and those of the entire region. 

She voiced her hope to receive Cambodia’s support and coordination to help Vietnam fulfil its role as ASEAN Chair and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Chair in 2020, and maintain the ASEAN’s intra-bloc solidarity and central role.

Việt Nam is willing to help Cambodia organise the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) Meeting next year, she said.

For parliamentary collaboration, she asked both legislative bodies to facilitate the organisation of meetings of young parliamentarians and female parliamentarians this year.

Heng Samrin also took the occasion to invite his Vietnamese counterpart to pay an official visit to Cambodia, which was accepted.

After the talks, the leaders signed a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese NA Office and the Cambodian NA Secretariat.

In the evening of the same day, Ngân hosted a banquet in honour of Heng Samrin and the Cambodian delegation. — VNS