Foreign Ministers of Vietnam and Cambodia hold talks

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

On the morning of March 21, at the Government Guest House, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn held talks.

At the meeting, Minister Bui Thanh Son warmly welcomed the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to return to Vietnam; congratulated Cambodia on its outstanding domestic and foreign achievements in recent years, including the successful organization of the election of the 5th term Commune/Ward Councils (June 2022) and the successful assumption of the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA 2022; and expressed his belief that Cambodia will successfully organize the election of the 7th National Assembly (July 2023).

The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation thanked Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son for his thoughtful and respectful reception; highly appreciated Vietnam's support for Cambodia in its role as ASEAN Chair in 2022; affirmed that it will make efforts to contribute to continuously consolidating and developing the relationship of "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability" between Vietnam and Cambodia; and congratulated Vietnam on its many important achievements in socio-economic development, achieving a growth rate of more than 8% in 2022.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The two sides agreed to promote and effectively implement high-level visits; continue to maintain and effectively promote existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms; effectively implement the Joint Statements and cooperation agreements between the two Parties and the two Governments; promote connectivity between the two economies; enhance cooperation between localities, especially between border provinces; and promote the demarcation of the remaining 16% of unfinished border demarcation and marker planting in order to continue building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development between the two countries.

Regarding cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the two sides highly appreciated the close coordination of the two Ministries in contributing to promoting bilateral relations; agreed to continue to effectively promote cooperation mechanisms between the two ministries and plan to hold the 8th political consultation meeting at the Deputy Foreign Minister level in Cambodia at a suitable time in 2023.

Regarding regional and international cooperation, the two sides emphasized their commitment to closely coordinate with each other in strengthening solidarity, unity and the central role of ASEAN, as well as enhancing cooperation between the Association and its partners. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed to affirm the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, ensuring freedom and safety of navigation and aviation; resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law and the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), striving to achieve an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked and asked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to continue to care for and support people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia to stabilize their lives, integrate into the local community, and serve as a bridge of friendship between the two countries; and asked Cambodia to continue to cooperate in resolving cases of Vietnamese citizens being scammed and forced into illegal labor at some entertainment service establishments run by foreigners in Cambodia.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn affirmed that Cambodia will continue to treat people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia fairly as it does other countries.

According to VNA