At the talks between Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces General Vong Pisen. Photo: VNA

Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong held talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces General Vong Pisen in Phnom Penh on March 18, within the framework of his official friendly visit to Cambodia.

The meeting took place after Cuong’s attendance at the 19th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces’ Meeting (ACDFM-19), VietnamPlus reported.

Gen. Vong Pisen affirmed that the visit has contributed to deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two armies, and appreciated the effective support of the VPA as well as the Vietnamese Party and State for his country. According to him, this is reflected through the active contribution of the Vietnamese delegation to the success of the ACDFM-19, the annual exchange of delegations, the border demarcation and joint efforts to fight cross-border crime even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong inspects the guard of honour of Cambodia. Photo: Nhan dan (People) newspaper

He stated that in the context of rapid changes and complicated developments of the international and regional situations, the Cambodian Government always advocates maintaining cooperation and upholding the principle of non-interference into the internal affairs of other countries.

In order to strengthen the bilateral military cooperation, the general suggested the Vietnamese side continue to support personnel training for Cambodia, coordinate in the implementation of the two countries' defence protocol, and joint border patrols, and carry out rescue drills. The Cambodian side also proposed setting up a hotline between the two sides to promptly deal with urgent issues.

The Vietnamese officer congratulated General Vong Pisen on successfully chairing the first in-person ACDFM after two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affirming Vietnam's commitment to supporting Cambodia in its ASEAN Chairmanship Year.

He said that the ACDFM will contribute to strengthening the Vietnam-Cambodia good neighborliness, time-tested friendship, and sustainable and comprehensive cooperation, especially as the two are about to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967 - 2022).

Earlier the same day, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh, and laid flowers at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument to commemorate the heroes and martyrs who died for independence, freedom, and peace of the two peoples.

The 19th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces’ Meeting kicked off on March 17 morning. Photo: RCAF

The 19th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces’ Meeting kicked off on March 17 morning under the presidency of Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Gen. Vong Pisen.

The host stressed this is the first time leaders of ASEAN forces have met in-person after the Covid-19 situation in Cambodia has eased, the Cambodian News Agency AKP reported.

This meeting is held under theme “Solidarity for Peace and Harmony”, which emphasises the importance of the military role and efforts under the principle of ASEAN centrality to address the traditional and non-traditional security issues, especially the pandemic, and to be ready for future challenges by achieving regional peace, stability, harmony and common interests through cooperation and mechanisms that are acceptable from all parties.

Gen. Vong Pisen also expressed his hope that through the meeting, the ASEAN forces will continue to discuss and exchange views, share information and new initiatives in an open and friendly manner in order to effectively achieve fruitful results in strengthening cooperation and unity in Southeast Asia.

This regional meeting is taking place with the participation of chiefs of defence from all ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam./.

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