55th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia ties signifies close-knit relationship

The 55th anniversary of the nation’s diplomatic ties with Cambodia was celebrated on June 24 in Hanoi, with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An and chairwoman of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association in attendance.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Cambodian PM Hun Sen at the 45th anniversary celebration of the journey towards overthrowing the genocidal Pol Pot regime" on June 20 in Binh Phuoc province.

The event also saw senior leaders, representatives of central and local ministries, agencies, and several organisations with close co-operative relations in attendance, along with around 100 delegates, including members of Cambodian representative agencies, citizens, and students who are working and studying locally.

The celebration serve as a highlight of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022, an important milestone in the close-knit friendship that exists between the two countries,

It represents an opportunity for the two sides to review the history and tradition of solidarity and mutual support that has witnessed past struggles for national independence, as well as the current national development process. It can also be viewed as an activity that contributes to spreading information and education among all classes of people, especially younger generations of the two countries, about the significance and importance of mutual relations.

In an interview granted to the media for the occasion, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said that on June 24, 1967, the two sides officially established diplomatic relations, thereby opening a new chapter in the two countries’ common history.

Diplomatic relations in the 20th century were largely shaped and developed from the common requirements and goals relating to the two countries' respective struggles for national liberation.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son

According to Minister Son, the past 55 years have marked an important development period in relations, with unforgettable historical events occurring when the two sides united to offer mutual support in the struggle for independence from the colonial regime. In addition, they stood side by side to overthrow Pol Pot's brutal genocidal regime, as well as assisting in the ongoing national construction period of each nation.

“The 55th anniversary of both nations’ diplomatic relations is an opportune occasion for us to review the past journey, so that people of all walks of life, especially the young generations of the two countries, to get a deeper understanding and more responsibility for preserving and constantly cultivating the good values of the traditional friendship and solidarity between the two peoples,” Minister Son added.

Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth

In a recent interview given to a VOV reporter, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth highlighted the great significance of the anniversary.

“Experiencing ups and downs over the 55 years of diplomatic relations, we have fought together against a common enemy in the process of national liberation in each country. We often help each other, especially during the most difficult times,” the Cambodian diplomat said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen took the time to review the history of relations on June 20, which also emphasised the strong level of mutual support.

This could particularly be seen during the liberation of Cambodia from Pol Pot’s genocidal regime, with Cambodians remembering the help of Vietnam, particularly as the neighbouring country was revived through the help of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers.

During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the two countries, both sides also helped each other with medical supplies and cash in order to combat the pandemic. Leaders and citizens of the two countries residing in border areas consistently offered mutual support in dealing with the negative effects of the pandemic.

“This is an example of mutual support. I hope that after 55 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the cooperative and diplomatic relationship between the two countries will further grow and flourish in the time ahead,” Ambassador Navuth stated.

“Our two countries have a tradition of reciprocity and mutual help, and in Cambodia's ASEAN chairmanship year, I believe that Vietnam will continue to contribute and coordinate with the neighouring country in solving all problems, challenges and difficulties.

As a leading active member in ASEAN, Vietnam's contributions will definitely help Cambodia achieve the goals set out in the 2022 ASEAN chairmanship year,” he emphasized.

VOV