Vietnam always attaches importance to its traditional relationship with Cambodia , which has been fostered by generations of the two nations’ leaders and people.

On a three-day working visit to Cambodia , Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the affirmation on August 16 while meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, Acting President of the Senate Say Chhum, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.

Vietnam has been proactive in helping Cambodia fulfill its duties as ASEAN Chair in 2012, for the interests of ASEAN in general and the two countries in particular and also supports Cambodia ’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2013-2014 term, he added.

Phuc spoke highly of the traditional friendship between the countries and said that efforts should be continued to nurture and deepen the bilateral relations.

The Cambodian leaders expressed pleasure at the fine development of the bilateral relations in the motto of good neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability.

Say Chhum and Heng Samrin stressed that Cambodia considers Vietnam a good neighbour, good friend, good brother and good partner.

The leaders agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and in-person exchanges, especially between bordering provinces. The two sides should closely coordinate to realise development agreements reached at a conference in March 2007, they said.

The Cambodian leaders expressed their gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, Government, volunteer soldiers and people for their valuable and timely help for Cambodia in the struggle against the Khmer Rouge, as well as in their current national construction and development.

Both sides highly valued the joint organisation of numerous activities celebrating the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012 and the 45 th anniversary of the two countries’ bilateral diplomatic ties.

On common regional and international concerns, both sides agreed to contribute more to building the ASEAN Community by 2015 and ensuring an environment of peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea .

They also reached the consensus that the disputes should be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of respecting international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as implementing the Declaration of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).-VNA