Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni pays due attention to relations with Vietnam. This visit further expresses his friendship sentiment, trust, and respect to Vietnam.
Sharing geographical proximity and cultural and historical similarities, the peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia have together built one of the most time-honored relationships in Southeast Asia. In the 20th century, the bilateral solidarity in combating foreign invaders, initiated by President Ho Chi Minh and leaders of Cambodian national liberation movement, created great common strength for the two sides’ peoples and militaries to realize the goal of national liberation, for the sake of independence, freedom, happiness, and prosperity.
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Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (Photo: MoFA) |
The establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 1967 was a historical event in the Vietnam-Cambodia relations and was “a vivid manifestation of the close friendship and solidarity in combat” as President Ho Chi Minh stressed in a letter sent to Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk. This milestone opened an incredibly special period, highlighted by unforgettable historical events when Vietnamese and Cambodian peoples, despite difficulties and challenges, stood shoulder to shoulder to build up their time-honored traditional friendship and sound solidarity.
On the basis of the traditional historical ties and solidarity in combat, the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations created favorable conditions for Vietnamese and Cambodian peoples to stand side by side to gain historic victory in Spring 1975, overthrow the brutal genocidal regime of the reactionary Pol Pot - Ieng Sary in 1979, prevent the return of the genocidal regime and bring revival to Cambodia.
After the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements and 1993 Cambodian general election, the Vietnam - Cambodia relations had a new development, suitable to the current context of each side and international situation. Since 2005, the bilateral relationship has developed under the motto “Good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability.” Over the past time, the Vietnam-Cambodia ties, cultivated by generations of Vietnamese and Cambodian people, has been consolidated and promoted in all fields.
Accordingly, the two sides have increased the efficiency of cooperation and exchange mechanisms on the Party channel, while their high-ranking leaders have regularly visited each other. Their bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been actively and proactively conducted. Cooperation on defense and security has become an important pillar and been developing in an intensive and practical manner. At the same time, economic, trade, and investment cooperation has consistently reached a new height, becoming a bright spot in the bilateral relations. By October 2024, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia had reached USD 8.3 billion, an increase by 17.5% compared to the same period in 2023.
Moreover, Vietnam and Cambodia have closely teamed up with and supported each other in multilateral forums, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, and sub-regional mechanisms, making contribution to raising each country’s prestige and position in the region and all over the world.
Considerable achievements in the Vietnam - Cambodia relations are considered a foundation for the two countries to further boost the bilateral solidarity and traditional friendship in the coming time.
Thus, we wish that Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni’s visit to Vietnam this time will be a success, contributing to consolidating mutual political trust and fostering the bilateral cooperation in various fields in a more intensive and practical manner.
Written by PAN’s Editorial Board
Translated by Minh Anh