PM Pham Minh Chinh begins Cambodia visit

Chinh and some high-ranking Vietnamese officials left Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi early in the morning to begin a two-day (Nov 8-9) state visit upon the invitation from his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.

He will then attend the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits as also other related conferences from November 10-13.

In an interview published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said Chinh’s visit marks an important milestone in various fields.

“This would be an opportunity for both two countries to identify measures to promote bilateral relations as well as mark the resumption of comprehensive cooperation, especially in the fields of economy, trade and tourism in order to build an economy resilient to adverse impacts from the global economic situations,” Vu said.

The visit is happening in the context of a friendly and neighborly relationship, as well as comprehensive and stable cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam maintains its leading position in ASEAN and in the group of five countries with the largest direct investment capital in Cambodia.

Two-way trade turnover in the first nine months of this year reached $8.45 billion, up 16.7% year-on-year.

The 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and other related conferences will take place in Phnom Penh amid complicated developments in regional and global security and economic situations.

Leaders of ASEAN and the world would discuss and take satisfactory solutions to soon restore economy and solve current security crisis situations.

“This would be a challenge but also an opportunity for ASEAN to continue affirming its central role and ability to make an important contribution to solve regional problems,” Vu said.

The ASEAN Summit is normally held twice a year.

At a press conference on November 3, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that this would be the first time for PM Chinh to directly attend summits of ASEAN and between the bloc and its partners.

These high-level conferences mark the resumption of direct exchange and dialogue between leaders after more than two years of hiatus due to Covid-19.

Within the framework of the summits, Chinh is expected to participate in more than 20 activities and join meetings with leaders of countries and international organizations to discuss current issues.

Chinh will also hold talks with PM Hun Sen, participate in the Vietnam-Cambodia trade and investment promotion forum and meet with other Cambodian high-ranking officials.

U.S. President Joe Biden will also come to Cambodia to attend the annual ASEAN summits, the White House announced earlier this month.