At a reception in Phnom Penh on December 28 for General Ngo Xuan Lich,Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission andMinister of National Defence, the PM expressed his delight at the successfuldefence ties between the two nations over the past time.
He affirmed that Cambodia always attaches importance to preserving anddeepening its traditional solidary and friendship and comprehensive cooperationwith Vietnam, for the interests of the two countries’ people as well as forpeace, stability and development.
Minister Lich congratulated Cambodian on the successful organisation of the 6th National Assembly election and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) on its victoryin the election, saying the result reflected the acknowledgement, trust andaspiration of the Cambodian people for a good future of the country under theleadership of the CPP and the government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Informing the host of the outcomes of his talks with Cambodian Deputy PrimeMinister and Defence Minister Samdech Tea Banh, Lich said the bilateral defencecollaboration has recorded practical achievements in recent years.
In the coming time, the two sides agreed to step up affiliation in variousfields, especially communications and education, personnel training, delegationexchange, border management and exchange, as well as search for andrepatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who diedin Cambodia, he said.
He also proposed the Cambodian Government and Prime Minister Hun Sen continue supportthe collaboration between the two armies.
In reply, the Cambodian PM said the two militaries should continue enhancing solidarityand intensive cooperation in every aspect so as to make defence ties a pillarin the relations between the two countries.
He praised the two armies for realising the Protocol onRegular Search and Rescue in land border areas, including theorganisation of search and rescue drills.
The leader asked both sides to continue implementing projects to repair and renovatethe Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monuments, affirming that Cambodia willcoordinate with Vietnamese units to speed up the search for and repatriation ofremains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their livesin Cambodia.
Earlier on December 27, Minister Ngo Xuan Lich held talks with his Cambodiancounterpart Tea Banh, during which he stressed that since the two countries setup their diplomatic ties in 1967, the bilateral relations have been continuouslyconsolidated and developed in all fields, including defence. He expressed hisbelief that the meeting will create a new momentum to deepen the defence cooperationbetween the two nations.
Tea Banh affirmed that the Cambodian people and army always treasure thetraditional friendly neighbourliness with the Vietnamese counterparts, vowingto do his best to preserve, foster and develop the fine relationship.
The two ministers agreed to increase coordination in realising the Protocol onRegular Search and Rescue in land border areas and the annual collaborationplans, pay attention to stepping up communications and education work, improvetraining quality, and strengthen links between military units in border areas.
They also consented to speed up the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamesevolunteer soldiers and experts who died in Cambodia as well as complete the buildingand upgrading of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monuments.
Following the talks, Ministers Ngo Xuan Lich and Tea Banh signed a cooperation planbetween the two defence ministries for 2019.
During his stay, the Vietnamese defence minister laid a wreath at theIndependence Monument and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument in thecapital city of Phnom Penh, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in thecountry.-VNA