A conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 17^th to exchange experiences on religious affairs between Vietnamese and Cambodian localities located on the shared border line.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Vietnam’s Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs, and Cambodia’s Ministry of Cults and Religion.

Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan speaking at the conference. (Photo: VNA)

In his opening speech, Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan noted that the cooperative neighbourly and traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia have been nurtured, strengthened and developed by the two Parties, States and peoples.

The conference was held to discuss solutions to address existing problems regarding religious affairs on the shared border areas between the two countries, create favourable conditions for residents there to exercise their right to freedom of religion, thus contributing to building a shared borderline of peace, friendship, and development, he said.

For his part, Cambodian Minister of Cults and Religion Him Chhem expressed his delight at the robust development in the bilateral ties in all fields, including religious affairs.

Taking place at a time when the two countries are celebrating their 50^th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties, the conference is an important political event, he said, adding that the event not only provided a venue for religious affairs management agencies of the two countries to exchange their experiences but also contributed to promoting religious solidarity, peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Delegates at the conference reviewed the current situations on the border areas, agreeing that religious followers have positively participated in social activities and contributed to the socio-economic development in their localities.

Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan (R) and Cambodia’s Senior Minister and Minister of Cults and Religion, Him Chhem. (VNA/The Anh Photo)

The religious followers have also been provided with the most favourable conditions to exercise religious practices and attend religious festivals.

The participants also suggested solutions to enhance state management on religious affairs in the shared border areas, including raising people’s awareness of the Vietnam-Cambodia traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation, stepping up the implementation of current regulations on border areas, and increasing coordination in ensuring political security and social order in the areas./.

VNF/VNA