Phnom Penh (VNA) – A delegation from Military Region 7 under the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) visited Cambodia from March 25-27, ahead of the neighbouring country’s Choul Chnam Thmey (traditional New Year).
On March 26, the delegation, led by Commander of Military Region 7 Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, extended New Year greetings to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence.
At a meeting with General Chay Saingyun, Permanent Secretary of State at the ministry, Thang said that thanks to the support of the Cambodian army, government, and people, relevant search teams under Military Region 7 have repatriated 720 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who lost their lives in Cambodia during wartime. This effort continues under an agreement between the two governments, he noted.
The Cambodian official expressed deep gratitude for the selfless sacrifices made by Vietnamese volunteer forces in liberating Cambodia from the genocidal regime. He said that Cambodia has built numerous historical sites and friendship monuments, while also educating younger generations about Vietnam’s support for Cambodia during its past struggles.
According to him, Military Region 7 has provided extensive assistance for his country via providing medical check-ups and medicines, and building a borderline of peace and friendship that facilitates bilateral trade exchanges.
He stated that following the spirit of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability,” units under the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces will continue working closely with the VPA and Military Region 7 to effectively implement bilateral cooperation agreements to further strengthen Vietnam-Cambodia ties for peace, stability, and development.
On March 25, the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy call to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to extend New Year greetings.
Lieutenant General Thang expressed gratitude to the PM and the Cambodian Government for their commitment to preserving Vietnam-Cambodia friendship monuments across Cambodia as a way to educate the countries’ younger generations on the traditional friendship.
For his part, PM Hun Manet lauded the sound growth of Vietnam-Cambodia relationship across all sectors, which has benefited both nations while contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and cooperation. He expressed deep appreciation for Vietnam’s support, for both Cambodia’s struggle for liberation from the genocidal regime and its current national construction cause. He vowed to further strengthen bilateral relations for future generations.
He said Cambodia values defence cooperation with Vietnam, pledging to support and facilitate Vietnam’s efforts to locate and repatriate the remains of the volunteer soldiers. He also expressed his support for Vietnamese defence enterprises effectively operating in Cambodia.
During the visit, the delegation laid wreaths and offered incense at the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship monument to honour fallen soldiers. They also held discussions with the Vietnamese Embassy, the Vietnam-Cambodia Business Association (VCBA), and key Vietnamese businesses in Phnom Penh, including MB Cambodia and Viettel Cambodia (Metfone)./.
Vietnam, Cambodia committed to implementing Parties' agreements
The officials said as co-chairs of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee, the two foreign ministries pledged to actively implement agreements between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). They also affirmed their commitments to strengthening mutual trust, solidarity, and close cooperation between the two countries.
