Top Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders have exchanged messages of congratulations marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In their separate messages, the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and National Assembly leaders expressed their pleasure at the positive development of the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia over the past 45 years.

They thanked the Cambodian leaders and people for their wholehearted support and valuable assistance for Vietnam during its past struggle for national liberation and the current cause of national construction and defence.

The Vietnamese leaders expressed their belief that the neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability between Vietnam and Cambodia will be further promoted, in the interest of their peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In their separate messages, the Cambodian leaders confirmed that they consider the Cambodia-Vietnam solidarity and traditional friendship an invaluable asset of the two nations.

They expressed their deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people for helping Cambodia escape the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 and rebuild the country.

The two Foreign Ministers of Vietnam and Cambodia also cabled messages of congratulation to each other on this occasion.-VNA