Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh delivers the opening remarks at the online meeting on December 22 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ForeignAffairs Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairsand International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on December 22 co-chaired the 18th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural,Scientific and Technological Cooperation held via video conference.
Thetwo officials were glad to report that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, thecomprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia has been continuing toflourish, as mutual trust was increasingly consolidated via phone talks,high-level online talks and other bilateral mechanisms, and cooperation betweensectors and localities promoted.
Thetwo sides had also supported each other in the fight against COVID-19 andmaintained undisrupted trade along the border between the two countries, theysaid.
Inthe first 10 months of 2020, bilateral trade hit 4.22 billion USD and is likelyto reach 5 billion USD by the end of this year.
Vietnamhad nine new investment projects in Cambodia, bringing the total active projectsin the country to 186 with registered capital reaching 2.76 billion USD.
Thetwo sides had discussed extensively the results of the implementation ofagreements and cooperation programmes since the 17th meeting of the JointCommission in the fields of politics-diplomacy, defence-security,trade-investment, culture, education-training, other areas of cooperation aswell as cooperation at regional and international forums.
Thetwo sides also talked about the directions and specific measures to deepen thecomprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
Accordingly,the two sides agreed to continue to maintain talks, high-level consultation andbilateral mechanisms, effectively implement the signed agreements, andcoordinate in bilateral activities on foreign affairs in 2021; actively educatethe public – especially the younger generation – in the two countries about thefriendship and the fruits of cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia;coordinate the holding of important events; implement the Protocol and theCooperation Plan on Defence and Security; expedite the search and repatriationof the remains of Vietnamese volunteers and experts who sacrificed their livesin Cambodia.
Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn addresses the online meeting on December 22 (Photo: VNA) Thetwo sides also agreed to maintain and facilitate economic, trade and investmentcooperation activities, implement economic and trade cooperation agreements –including Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Investment Promotion andProtection Agreement; to sign the border trade agreement and coordinate todevelop the management regulations of border markets; create favourableconditions and remove difficulties and problems for businesses of the twocountries; promote cooperation in industrial activities, development oftransport infrastructure, and sectors including health, labour, culture, sportand tourism; to encourage the ministries, sectors and localities of the twocountries to strengthen cooperation and mutual support.
Thetwo sides welcomed the signing and ratification of two important documents onthe Vietnam-Cambodia border, including the Supplementary Treaty to the 1985Treaty on the Delimitation of National Boundaries and the 2005 SupplementaryTreaty, and the protocol on land border demarcation and marker planting betweenCambodia and Vietnam.
Thetwo sides agreed to continually enhance the effectiveness of border managementand protection, and to exchange information and deal with emerging issues inthe spirit of cooperation and friendship.
Thetwo sides agreed to continue to discuss and have measures to help people ofVietnamese origin in Cambodia on legal documents, and fulfilling therequirements to become Khmer citizens and create favourable conditions forpeople of Vietnamese origin residing at Cambodia’s Tonlé Sap Lake area toresettle, stabilise their lives and integrate into local communities.
Theofficials noted with satisfaction the effective cooperation between the twocountries at regional and international forums, especially within the ASEANcooperation framework, subregional cooperation frameworks, includingcooperation in efficient and sustainable use of water resources in the MekongRiver.
Vietnamhighly appreciated Cambodia's support and cooperation this year when Vietnamassumes the role as Chair of ASEAN, and a non-permanent member of the UNSecurity Council for the 2020-2021 term.
TheVietnamese side pledged to support Cambodia in hosting the 13th Asia-EuropeSummit in 2021.
Atthe end of the meeting, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofForeign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister ofForeign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn signed thememorandum on the agreement of the meeting.
Underthe agreement, the 19th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission willbe held in 2021 in Cambodia./.
VNA
