Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Cambodian PM Samdec Hunsen, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Heng Somrin, Acting Chairman of the Senate Say Chum and Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Home Affairs, Sar Kheng on August 16.

 The Cambodian leaders expressed their delight at the fine traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia at the meeting, which has developed across a broad range of interests based on a philosophy of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability.”

Strong improvements in economics, trade, and investment cooperation have contributed to boosting socio-economic development in both countries.

Both sides praised their respective close coordination in organising practical activities to welcome in the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012 and celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Cambodian senior leaders emphasised the need to continue the further strengthening of the Vietnam-Cambodia comprehensive cooperation, exchange visits of delegations across all levels and cross-cultural exchange, as well as implementing the agreements they approved at the seventh conference on cooperation and development of border provinces in 2007.

The Cambodian leaders expressed sincere thanks to the Vietnamese Party, Government, volunteer soldiers and people for their valuable assistance to Cambodia in the past struggle which abolished the Khmer Rough genocidal regime and in the current process of national reconstruction and development.

They also congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), adding that they believe Vietnam will fulfil its socio-economic targets to become a modern industrialised country by 2020.

For his part, Deputy PM Phuc applauded the close-knit Vietnam-Cambodia friendship and called for  combined efforts to foster the fine relationship, while congratulating Cambodia on its successful organisation of the senate election and other elections at communal and district-levels.

Mr Phuc also briefed the Cambodian leaders on the results of talks between the two delegations from the National Anti-Drugs Committees and thanked them for their warm welcome to his delegation.

He said Vietnam always attaches great importance to developing the time-honoured relationship with Cambodia and is willing to support them with their heavy responsibilities as ASEAN Chair, for the benefits of ASEAN, Cambodia and Vietnam. He added that Vietnam is ready to support Cambodia’s candidacy to be a non-permanent member of the 2013-2014 UN Security Council.

During the meeting, both sides compared notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to contribute to building an ASEAN community by 2015, ensuring an environment of peace, stability and maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

All disputes in the East Sea should be settled through peaceful means in respect for international laws and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as implementing the Declaration on Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and advancing towards a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, they said

In the afternoon of the same day, Deputy PM Phuc left Phnom Penh, successfully concluding his three-day working visit to Cambodia.

(VOV)