Defence Cooperation – Important Pillar in Vietnam-Cambodia Ties

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. Photo: VNA

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on August 9 for Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, VNA reported Tuesday.

The President expressed his hope that Hun Manet’s visit will significantly contribute to the success of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 marking the 55th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967).

Phuc congratulated Cambodian people on great, comprehensive achievements they have recorded over the past time, and noted his belief that Cambodia will gain more attainments in both home and external affairs in the time ahead, and successfully fulfill its ASEAN Chairmanship 2022 and organise its general elections in 2023.

Highlighting the traditional friendship between the two neighbouring countries, the President said he hopes that the Lt. Gen., in both his current and future positions, will make more contributions to preserving and developing the good neighborliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive, sustainable, long-term cooperation.

The two sides noted with pleasure active developments of the Vietnam-Cambodia multi-faceted cooperation, especially joint efforts in maintaining all-level meetings at all channels and coordination in organising activities within the friendship year.

They said two-way trade has maintained its growth, hitting USD 6.3 billion in the first half of this year, up more than 20% year-on-year.

Emphasizing the progress in defense cooperation – an important pillar in the bilateral ties, host and guest expressed their hope that the collaboration will grow further for peace, stability, independence and self-reliance in each country.

Phuc asked Hun Manet to convey his wishes and regards to King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, and other senior leaders of Cambodia.

Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Central Committee Vo Van Thuong (right) receives Hun Manet, member of the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, in Hanoi on August 9. Photo: VNA

The same day, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Central Committee Vo Van Thuong received Hun Manet.

Hun Manet expressed his delight that the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties with various events, including a ceremony held in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the historical journey made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to overthrow Pol Pot’s genocidal regime (June 20, 1977 – 2022).

Cambodia will forever maintain and nurture its friendship with Vietnam and strengthen the bilateral partnership to develop amidst the complex global situation, the Cambodian official said.

He informed Thuong on the outcomes of his visit to enhance cooperation between the two Parties and States, particularly between their young army officers and youths.

He also thanked Vietnam for supporting Cambodia’s tenure as ASEAN Chair this year and at international and regional forums.

For his part, Thuong emphasised that the CPV and CPP share common roots from the Indochinese Communist Party, and expressed his pleasure at the thriving relations between the two countries, with defence cooperation as a pillar.

He expected the two Parties to remain united and keep supporting each other for future progress.

Vietnam is willing to support Cambodia in promoting external affairs, he said, noting that he is confident that under the leadership of King Sihamoni and the CPP, Cambodia will continue building a prosperous and developed country.

Previous, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet held talked with Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA); Chief of the General Staff of the VPA and Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.