It can be affirmed that geographical proximity and cultural and historical similarities are a strong foundation for Vietnam and Cambodia to cultivate and develop one of the most time-honored relationships in Southeast Asia.
Over the past more than half a century since the official establishment of their diplomatic ties, despite numerous difficulties, challenges, and upheavals, Vietnam and Cambodia have consolidated and developed their relations, making practical contribution to the construction and prosperous development of the two countries, and to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world. In the overall bilateral relationship, bilateral defense cooperation has grown intensively, effectively, and practically and is one of the important pillars.
    |
 |
|
Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang has a bilateral meeting with General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia, at the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in October 2023. |
Over the past time, the two sides’ agencies and units have well embraced the directions of the leadership of the two ministries of national defense. They have pro-actively coordinated and fully carried out cooperation contents agreed by the two ministries such as exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones, and deputy defense ministerial level defense policy dialogue. Moreover, such cooperation mechanisms and models as joint patrols, annual meetings, troops-people solidarity, young officer exchange, personnel training have been promoted substantively.
In addition, the border protection forces and military regions stationed near the borderline of the two countries have had good coordination to help ensure security, order and safety in shared border areas. Attention has been paid to the education and information dissemination for troops and people, particularly young ones, about the history, significance, and importance of the solidarity and mutual support in different historical periods between the two countries and militaries.
Notably, in the Vietnam - Cambodia and Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year 2022 to mark the 55th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967 - 2022), the two ministries jointly hosted a number of big events, actively spreading the solidarity between the two militaries and peoples.
The two militaries have also paid due care to the cooperation among the militaries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Both sides have actively implemented activities to serve the first-ever Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia border defense friendship exchange at defense minister level, scheduled to take place soon.
The Vietnam People’s Army and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces have coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums, and mechanisms, including ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia, built by generations of the two peoples, have become a priceless and sacred asset of the two nations. It is believed that no matter how the world and regional situations change, the two countries will always work together to nurture this relationship to last forever.
With the political determination and efforts of both sides, the bilateral defense relations will certainly enjoy stronger developments in the coming time with higher role and position in the overall relationship of the two countries, thus upholding political security, creating conditions for socio-economic development, building and firmly defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country.
Translated by Mai Huong