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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong (left) and General Vong Pisen reviewing the guards-of-honor |
Welcoming the delegation, General Cuong believed that the Vietnam visit of the Cambodian delegation will generate a new momentum to further deepen the cooperation between the two militaries in an intensive, practical, and effective manner. The host congratulated Cambodia and the Cambodian People's Party on their important achievements in internal and external affairs, especially the 7th National Assembly Election in July and the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) in May. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Cambodian Government and Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia will obtain greater achievements in the coming time.
The Vietnamese Chief of the General Staff took the occasion to thank the Cambodian Defense Ministry and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces for sending delegations to attend events hosted by Vietnam, including the 23rd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM-23), the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022, the competency evaluation for prospective peacekeeper program 2023 (CEPPP-2023) under the ADMM+ Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 in the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus, and Men’s Volleyball Tournament for ASEAN members in 2023.
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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong at the talks |
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General Vong Pisen at the talks |
For his part, General Vong Pisen expressed his belief that the visit will contribute to further promoting the friendly relationship and solidarity between the two militaries. Highly appreciating Vietnam's successful organization of the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022, the guest emphasized that this event would create an opportunity for military leaders of different countries to meet and promote relations.
At the talks, the two sides appreciated outcomes of cooperation between their agencies and units since General Cuong’s official visit to Cambodia in March last year, in such fields as delegation exchanges, defense policy dialogues at the deputy ministerial level, joint patrols, and the maintenance of various cooperation mechanisms.
Over the past time, border guard forces and military regions of both sides have closely worked together to ensure security and social order in border areas. They have fostered education and information dissemination to enhance the awareness of their people and troops, particularly younger generations, of the significance of solidarity and mutual support between the two countries and their armed forces.
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The two delegations at the talks |
The two officials agreed to strengthen collaboration and continue to effectively carry out cooperation activities, contributing to the sound development of friendly and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia. The two sides will continue to coordinate closely and effectively to carry out dissemination and education about the history, meaning, and importance of good neighboring relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the two governments, militaries, and peoples. They will also focus on building reliable, effective, and substantive relationship; promptly coordinate and advise senior leaders and the two defense ministries on military and defense work, thereby further affirming the position of military-defense cooperation as one of the important pillars in the Vietnam - Cambodia relationship.
The host and guest were also committed to fostering delegation exchanges and making the best use of cooperative mechanisms and models such as joint patrols, annual conferences, military-civilian solidarity, and young officer exchanges. Notably, the two sides will coordinate and actively carry out activities in preparation for the upcoming first Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange.
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The two delegations in a joint photo |
At the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international situations and issues of mutual concerns. They said that in the context of a complex global and regional environment, ASEAN-led mechanisms continue to play a central role in the region, promoting dialogue and cooperation among member states and external partners for regional peace, stability, and development.
Translated by Tran Hoai