PHNOMPENH – Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng yesterday praised the Cambodia-Việt Nam Friendship Association (CVFA) for fostering solidarity and friendship between the nations with diverse, creative activities. 

Meeting with association Chairwoman and Deputy PM Men Som On in Phnom Penh yesterday, he said the robust growth of Việt Nam – Cambodia relations over the past 50 years was made possible by efforts of localities and agencies of both countries at all levels, including the CVFA. 
He asked the CVFA and its Vietnamese counterpart to strengthen co-ordination and organise more practical and effective activities for the prosperity of each nation and the sustainability of the bilateral ties. 
Men Som On highlighted some of the association’s activities, including exchanges between former soldiers and experts of both countries who once fought side by side for Cambodia’s freedom, as well as events to boost co-operation and friendship between border provinces. 
She expressed her gratitude for the invaluable assistance that Việt Nam provided for Cambodia’s security and development.

Buddhist monks

Earlier yesterday, the Party chief called on the Most Venerable Monk Tep Vong at the Unalom pagoda and Most Venerable Monk Bukri at the Svay Pope Pagoda in Phnom Penh. 
The monks welcomed the Vietnamese Party leader, saying his visit showcased the solidarity and strong growth of Việt Nam-Cambodia ties in all fields. They wished Trọng and the Vietnamese delegation good health and luck. 

Trọng expressed his delight in seeing the important role that the Buddhist community in Cambodia plays in fostering solidarity within the nation. 
He noted that throughout history, Buddhism has made great contributions to the national defence and construction and hoped Cambodia’s Buddhist community would further diversify its activities in contributing to the country’s growth. 

He also expressed his wish that the Buddhist communities of Việt Nam and Cambodia will strengthen their connections, sharing experiences and promoting relations between the two nations. 

Border co-operation

During the Party chief’s visit, Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyễn Văn Thành held talks with Minister of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior Ouk Kim Lek to discuss measures to build a border of peace, order and security. 

Thành suggested that relevant ministries and departments on both sides step up co-ordination to realise contents of documents already signed.

He noted that the two countries’ police forces have exchanged information to crack down on a number of cross-border crimes including drug smuggling and human trafficking. 
The two sides have also worked together to defeat all plots hatched by hostile forces, not allowing them to use either country’s territory to undermine peace, stability and security of the other, he said. 
Ouk Kim Lek also spoke highly of the two countries’ accomplishments in enhancing security as well as the strong determination shown by law enforcement forces, especially in shared border areas, to beat all plots by hostile forces to destroy order and political stability in either nation. – VNS