The Vietnamese Party and State consistently support and facilitate closer and more substantive defence cooperation with Cambodia, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam said.
He made the statement while receiving Tea Seiha, a member of the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.
Tea Seiha is visiting Vietnam to attend the annual meeting of the defence ministers of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, as well as a joint exercise involving the three countries’ armies.
To Lam welcomed the visit, saying it would help implement the shared perceptions and agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders and further develop bilateral relations and defence cooperation.
He said Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbouring countries with a long tradition of friendship. Their armies and peoples stood side by side in struggles for independence and freedom. To Lam thanked Cambodia for supporting and facilitating the search for, recovery and identification of the remains of Vietnamese fallen soldiers in the country, and called for that humanitarian cooperation to continue.
The Vietnamese leader expressed satisfaction with the substantive and effective development of bilateral ties. He said political trust continues to grow, while defence and security cooperation remain an important pillar of the relationship.
To Lam called on the two defence ministries to increase information sharing and support each other in maintaining political stability and national security. He also urged more effective coordination in border management and protection, border demarcation and marker planting, and the legal formalisation of achievements already made.
He also called for closer coordination among ministries, sectors and local authorities on infrastructure connectivity, trade and economic development in border areas. This would strengthen links between the two economies and support the goal of raising bilateral trade to US$20 billion.
Tea Seiha congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in various fields under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He expressed confidence that the country will continue to develop strongly and achieve its strategic development goals.
He thanked Vietnam for its material and spiritual support for Cambodia’s national construction, defence and development, as well as for the cooperation and assistance provided by Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and military.
Briefing To Lam on the positive outcomes of talks between the two defence ministries and the signing of their 2027 cooperation plan, Tea Seiha pledged to direct Cambodia’s defence ministry and army to work closely with their Vietnamese counterparts to implement the agreements effectively.
He described Vietnam-Cambodia friendship as a special and invaluable asset that must be preserved, developed and strengthened for future generations. He added that the two sides will organise practical activities in 2027 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, improve mutual understanding, and deepen solidarity and friendship between the two countries’ peoples and armies.
Sources: Viet Nam News
