Second Vietnam-Cambodia Defense Policy Dialogue held

PANO – The second Vietnam-Cambodia defense policy dialogue was held on the morning of October 21 at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense. The two delegations at the dialogue were led by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Defense Minister of Vietnam and General Nieng Phat, Minister of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, respectively.

At the dialogue, the two generals shared the view that bilateral defense ties over the past time have seen practical results. Relevant agencies and units of the two defense ministries have coordinated and implemented fully contents in the protocol on bilateral defense cooperation for the 2015-2019 period and the 2016 plan, contributing to strengthening and boosting Vietnam-Cambodian friendship and cooperation.

The host and guest agreed that the exchange of high-ranking delegations has been maintained and implemented effectively as planned, helping strengthen trust between the two armies.

The two delegations at the dialogue

The commands of Military Regions 5, 7, 9 and the Border Guard of Vietnam have coordinated closely with Cambodia’s local governments and border guard force in information sharing, joint patrol implementation, crime prevention and settlement of arising problems to build a borderline of stability, peace, and development.

Cooperation activities between the two navies have been carried out as planned, including joint patrols and annual meetings to ensure security, safety along the maritime border.

The search and collection of Vietnamese martyrs’ remains continue to be conducted according to the plan of the two governments.

In order to develop the relationship in depth, the two general agreed that the two sides need to boost exchanges and coordinate closely with each other at forums within the framework of multilateral and regional defense-security cooperation mechanisms. The two sides should maintain support each other in personnel training while considering the signing of an agreement on search and rescue in border areas.

* In the afternoon, Defense Minister, General Ngo Xuan Lich held a reception for General Nieng Phat at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense.

General Ngo Xuan Lich (R) receiving General Nieng Phat

At the reception, the host reaffirmed the fine traditional relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia and stressed that the Party, State, and Army of Vietnam always highly value the cooperation with Cambodia. He held that the bilateral relations have seen positive developments across the fields, including defense ties. He hoped that in the coming time, the armies of the two countries should further develop cooperation, contributing to the building of trust between the two nations.

For his part, the guest believed that the Vietnam-Cambodia bilateral relations will further develop in both scope and scale in line with the traditional relationship and time-honored solidarity between the two countries.

* Also at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Luong Cuong, Chief of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, received General Nieng Phat.

Senior Lieutenant General Luong Cuong affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam attach special importance and priority to the development of the relations with neighboring countries, including Cambodia. He said Vietnam is willing to share experience with and support Cambodian military with the ideological education work for the youth in the military, providing favorable conditions for research and military official exchange programs. The Chief of the General Department of Politics also expressed hope that Cambodia would continue to cooperate and support Vietnam in its search and collection of remains of volunteer soldiers laying down their lives in Cambodia.

* Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defense Minister, also met with General Nieng Phat.

Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang reiterated the fine Vietnam-Cambodia traditional friendship, which has strongly developed across all fields. The visit of the Cambodian General to Vietnam will practically contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries in all fields, including defense cooperation. The Vietnamese General hoped the two armies will cooperate more closely in the training and retraining of personnel, naval cooperation, etc., striving for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.