General Secretary’s visit opens new chapter in Vietnam – Cambodia relations

(VNF) - The Cambodia visit made by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will open a new chapter in Vietnam – Cambodia relations, bringing the two countries’ relations to a new height.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong starts a three-day visit to Cambodia today (July 20) at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. This is the first visit to Cambodia by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong after the XIIth Party Congress.

This historic visit, which takes place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, is an important occasion for the two sides to look back on the 50-year history of the relationship and open up a new chapter bringing relations of the two countries to new heights.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two neighbouring countries which enjoy long-standing tradition cooperative friendly relations and share many similarities in culture, people and geographical conditions. 50 years ago, on the basis of the friendly relationship between the two countries, Vietnam and Cambodia formally established diplomatic relations.

Over the past 50 years, overcoming numerous ups and downs of history, the two countries' relations have become more and more tightened and strengthened by the generations of leaders and peoples. The blood and sacrifice of so many heroic martyrs have become invaluable assets of the two peoples.

Today, Vietnam-Cambodia relations are constantly developing in all areas. The two sides maintain the exchange of delegations at all levels, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the trust and mutual understanding between the leaders and peoples of the two countries.

Economic cooperation, trade and investment between the two countries rapidly developed. Vietnam is now one of Cambodia's leading economic partners. Two-way trade turnover in 2016 reached nearly USD 3 billion, the two sides strive to soon hit the target of USD 5 billion.
About investment, Vietnam now has about 190 projects have been licensed in Cambodia with a total registered capital of nearly USD 3 billion. Vietnam also has the largest number of visitors to Cambodia, with 960.000 arrivals in 2016.

Defence cooperation between the two countries has been strengthened. The two sides pledged to implement policies not allowing any hostile force to use one’s territory to threaten the other’s security. Authorities and people in border areas of the two countries are actively coordinating the deployment of landmark demarcation. To date, the two sides have completed more than 84% of the workload and determined to work together to soon complete this task.