Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with his Cambodian and Sri Lankan counterparts in Chengdu city, Sichuan province, China, on October 15 to discuss ties, focusing on the economy.

At the meetings, which took place on the sidelines of the 10th Western China International Trade Fair, all the three Governmental leaders expressed their satisfaction with recent developments in their bilateral relations and pledged to strengthen ties in the future.

In his meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Dung expressed thanks to the Cambodian Government for providing favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to operate successfully in civil aviation, banking, telecommunications and agriculture.

He recognised the major progress recently made in the demarcation and planting of land border markers as an assurance that the job will finish up in 2012, in line with commitments by the leaders of the two countries.

“As its neighbour and fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam will do its best to work with Cambodia to facilitate cooperation in all fields, especially in economy, trade and investment, thus contributing to development in each country and the region as a whole,” Dung vowed.

His view was shared by his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, who emphasised the significance of their fruitful cooperation in economics, especially the surge of Vietnamese investment into Cambodia , amid the global economic crisis.

The Cambodian leader also expressed thanks to Vietnam for its assistance in rescuing Cambodians hit by the typhoon Ketsana.

Concrete measures to cement relations between the two countries and among ASEAN members were also put on the table.

During his reception of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Dung warmly recalled the recent visit by his guest to Vietnam as a major contribution to making a giant leap forwards in bilateral relations.

“We hope that Sri Lanka will act as a bridge to connect Vietnam with South Asia to help boost economic, commercial and investment cooperation.”

“ Vietnam is ready to welcome the Sri Lankan President for an official visit,” Dung said.

Dung concluded by pledging support for the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to stabilise security and order and to put an end to terrorism as soon as possible so that the country may focus on national construction and development.

In return, Wickramanayaka confirmed his Government’s policy of boosting their traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam .

He also recognised Vietnam’s success in its position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The Sri Lankan leader reiterated his Government’s invitation to Dung for a visit to his country, which was warmly accepted by the Vietnamese Government leader./.