Việt Nam, Cambodia fortify defence ties

Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoàng Xuân Chiến (left) paid a visit to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Tea Seiha on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

PHNOM PENH — Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoàng Xuân Chiến paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Tea Seiha on August 8 as part of his working trip to the neighbouring country to attend the seventh defence policy dialogue between the two nations.

At the meeting, Chiến affirmed that Việt Nam always attaches importance, and gives priority to consolidating and developing the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, as well as the comprehensive, long-term and sustainable cooperation with Cambodia. Việt Nam supports an independent, peaceful and developing Cambodia which plays an increasing role in the international and regional arenas, he said.

Briefing the host on the outcomes of the seventh Việt Nam-Cambodia defence policy dialogue, with the two sides reaching consensus on enhancing cooperation and effective implementing several key cooperation areas in the coming time, Chiến expressed his hope that the Cambodian Government and Tea Seiha himself will continue supporting the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives during the wartime in the nation.

He also voiced his hope that leaders of the Cambodian Defence Ministry will support events organised by Việt Nam, particularly activities to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944-2024), and the second Việt Nam International Defence Expo in December. Chien invited General Tea Seiha and leaders of the Cambodian defence ministry to join the exhibition.

Tea Seiha, for his part, expressed his confidence that the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between the two nations, with defence cooperation being an important pillar, will be bolstered in the coming time.

He took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and Defence Ministry for supporting Cambodia during the wartime as well as national construction and development nowadays, adding the VPA has carried out a wide range of cooperation programmes, including those on training Cambodian military officers.

The Cambodia Deputy PM expressed his wish that the Việt Nam – Cambodia ties, and the defence cooperation between the two nations in particular will further develop across various areas, affirming he will continue supporting activities organised by Vietnam.

He also hopes for continued support from the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence in all domains.

Deputy Minister Chiến led a working delegation from the defence ministry on a working trip to Cambodia from August 7-8./.