Vietnam, Cambodia review religious cooperation agreement

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Cambodia have reviewed the implementation of their bilateral religious cooperation agreement signed in February last year during the ongoing visit to Vietnam by Cambodian Minister of Cults and Religion Him Chhem.

The two sides discussed religious situations in the two countries and shared their experience in state management of religious affairs at the talks on August 2 between a delegation of the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion and a delegation from Vietnam’s Government Committee for Religious Affairs.

The agreement between the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion has allowed the two sides to increase exchange visits alongside activities for experience exchange in religious works and cooperation between the two nations’ Buddhist sects.

They emphasised outcomes of bilateral cooperation activities, saying that they have contributed to the development of the long-standing relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and the ties between the two nations’ Buddhist churches.

They agreed to further enhance cooperation in personnel training and support Buddhist practices.

The talks saw the participation of Minister Him Chhem and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Trong Thua, who is also in charge of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, and Vice Chairman of the Government Committee of Religious Affairs Bui Thanh Ha, among others, from the two agencies.

During his stay in Vietnam from August 1-5, the Cambodian Minister of Cults and Religions took the occasion to pay a courtesy visit to Minister of Home Affairs and leaders of the People’s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.-VNA