Vietnam, Cambodia seek ways to step up bilateral ties
The Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JC 17) opened in Phnom Penh on August 20.
Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural,Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JC 17) opened in Phnom Penh on August20.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and Secretary ofState at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and InternationalCooperation Eat Sophea co-chaired the event.
The annual meeting aims to promote the scale and efficiency of bilateral cooperationin a range of spheres, while offering an opportunity for the two sides toexchange viewpoints on collaboration within regional and international frameworks.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh isscheduled to pay a courtesy visit to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Senbefore he and Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation Prak Sokhonn co-chair the plenary session of JC 17 onAugust 21.
According to a press release from the Cambodian ministry, JC 17 will help toenhance the relationship between the two countries, and contribute to regionaland international peace and prosperity.
Trade between Vietnam and Cambodia reached 4.7 billion USD in 2018, up 23.8percent year-on-year. In the first five months of 2019, the number stood at 2.3billion USD, up 19.1 percent against the same period last year. It is expectedto hit 5 billion USD this year.
Vietnam is one of Cambodia’s five biggest investors. The country has, to date,run 214 projects worth over 3 billion USD in the neighbouring country. Vietnamese businessesin Cambodia have contributed to economic development as well as social welfarein the host country.
Besides, Vietnam is also one of the biggest sources of tourists to Cambodia,with nearly 900,000 holidaymakers in 2018.
The two countries have signed many deals to promote their economic ties such asthe framework agreement on Vietnam-Cambodia economic connectivity by 2030, theaction plan for Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam economic connectivity, the agreement ondouble taxation avoidance and the memorandum of understanding (MoU) ontransport cooperation by 2025 with a vision towards 2030.
Vietnam’s national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and the Cambodian Ministry ofTourism also signed a MoU on tourism connectivity.
The two countries are preparing for the signing of a border trade agreement in2019.-VNA
Deputy Minister of Defence, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh on July 23 suggested Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence direct its military units to effectively implement annual protocols, cooperation plans and agreements signed between the two countries’ high-ranking officials and defence ministries.
A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and other representative offices of Vietnam in Phnom Penh led by Ambassador Vu Quang Minh offered incense to martyrs at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument on July 26 on the occasion of the 72nd Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27).
The Vietnam–Cambodia and Cambodia–Vietnam friendship associations on July 29 issued a joint statement, strengthening friendly neighborliness, traditional friendship and long-term cooperation between the two nations.
The Vietnam-Cambodia border friendship exchange programme at the level of High Command will take place in the southern province of An Giang from August 27 to 28.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
