Vietnam, Cambodia to further strengthen multifaceted relations

Welcoming Chinh in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said Chinh’s official visit to Cambodia carried important meaning for the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations. He also congratulated Vietnam for securing a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.

The two leaders agreed to bolster defense and security cooperation, stressing the principle of not allowing hostile forces to use their territories to harm another country’s security and interests.

They would also deploy existing agreements and mechanisms to maintain political stability, security, order and social safety, as also prevent transnational crimes like human and drug trafficking.

Chinh thanked Cambodian authorities for closely cooperating with Vietnam on the rescue of Vietnamese citizens tricked into becoming illegal workers in Cambodia.

Both leaders agreed that bilateral commerce and investments were a highlight of bilateral relations, with two-way trade turnover reaching topping $9.5 billion in 2021, an 80% increase over 2020. Trade turnover in the first 9 months of this year reached $8.45 billion, a 16.7% increase year-on-year.

Vietnam has 198 active investment projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital at $2.92 billion, which is the most among ASEAN members and among the top five countries with the most investments in Cambodia.

Both leaders agreed on forging greater connectivity between the two economies, both in terms of infrastructures and policies.

Chinh requested Cambodia to provide more favorable opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to operate and invest in the country.

Regarding borders, the PMs agreed to respect and fully implement signed agreements, as well as find appropriate solutions for 16% of the land border for which demarcation and marker planting have not been completed yet.

Chinh affirmed that Vietnam was willing to share its experience and support Cambodia in organizing the 32nd SEA Games in 2023.

Amid complex regional and global developments, Vietnam and Cambodia need to bolster cooperation and support on multilateral forums, especially within the ASEAN framework and the Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, the two leaders agreed.

They stressed the importance of maintaining security, safety and maritime freedom, as well as fostering trust, abiding by international law and resolving conflicts through peaceful means.

Vietnam and Cambodia support relevant parties in fully abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), as well as hastening the process to formulate the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC), the two leaders affirmed.

Chinh is in Cambodia for a two-day (Nov 8-9) official visit, followed by the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related meetings over the next four days (November 10-13).