Cambodia’s Rasmei Kampuchea Daily on December 23 devoted its front page to the State visit by Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang, saying the visit was welcomed by Cambodian people and caught public interests.

The daily’s article noted that the official establishment of diplomatic ties on July 26, 1967 marked a new milestone in history of the two countries’ neighbouring ties.

Since then, Cambodia and Vietnam stood shoulder by shoulder in the resistance wars for national independence and in the country-building course later, it said.

Via visit exchanges and high-level contacts, the two sides showed determination to further deepen and elevate the friendship and all-faceted cooperation to new heights.

At present, Vietnam has run 126 investment projects with over 3 billion USD in Cambodia , involving in industrial plant plantation, mining, oil and gas production, telecommunication, banking and finance.

The paper quoted Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen as saying that the growth of Cambodian economy today is attributed largely to Vietnam ’s investment and trade exchange.

It reviewed the two countries’ cooperation in science, education, training, healthcare, tourism, security and defence, as well as at multi-lateral forums.

The paper recalled unforgettable moments that Cambodian people had suffered under the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime and the assistance provided by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers to free them from the dark days.

National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin was quoted as saying that the victory on January 7, 1979 ended the darkest period in Cambodia’s history, and ushered in a new chapter for Cambodian people to get back the right to freedom and have opportunities to rebuild their country.

Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen was also cited as without the assistance offered by Vietnam there is no Cambodia as it is today.

The paper also quoted King Norodom Sihamoni as affirming that Vietnamese people are reliable friends of Cambodian people and that Cambodian people will be forever good neighbours of Vietnamese people.

It concluded with belief that through the visit, the two countries will work to bring their ties to the next level of development, meeting national interests and people’s aspirations.-VNA