Gen. Giang emphasized that following the success of the first edition in 2022, this year’s exchange once again affirmed itself as an effective and distinctive model of cooperation between the two countries. It carries profound political significance, demonstrating the political will of the Parties, States, militaries, ministries, departments, localities, and especially the people and border protection forces of both nations in strengthening solidarity, friendship, promoting practical cooperation, and jointly building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developed shared border, for the prosperity of each country and for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
Gen. Tea Seiha expressed his delight at participating in the activities of the second edition in Tay Ninh province, and congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing recent major events.
The Cambodian defense chief expressed gratitude to the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam for its continuous attention and support for the Cambodian counterpart. He hoped that the two ministries’ cooperative ties would become even stronger in the time ahead. On this occasion, he extended condolences to the Vietnamese people over the losses caused by recent storms and natural disasters.
During the talks, both generals assessed that the two ministries have comprehensively implemented the guidelines and orientations set by senior leaders of the two countries, making bilateral military and defense cooperation increasingly practical and effective, helping maintain a peaceful and stable environment for each nation’s development.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang (front line, third from right) leads the Vietnamese delegation at the event. |
Outstanding achievements included close coordination and information exchange, effective advice to senior leaders of both countries on military and defense affairs, and enhanced cooperation between border management and protection forces, military regions, border units, naval, and coast guard forces, particularly in joint patrols and the fight against transnational crime. The two sides have successfully implemented twinning models between border posts, border residential clusters, and social welfare programs for border people.
Cooperation in political and ideological education has been emphasized, with efforts to raise awareness of citizens and soldiers, especially the younger generation, of the history, traditions, significance and importance of the Vietnam - Cambodia friendship and solidarity. Moreover, human resource training cooperation has also been a focus, recognized as a strategic issue for the relationship between the two countries and their militaries.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia General Tea Seiha (fourth from left) heads the Cambodian delegation at the talks. |
Regarding future cooperation, both ministers agreed to continue strengthening solidarity and close-knit ties between the two countries and their militaries; enhance information sharing and provision of strategic advice to senior leaders of the two countries on military and defense affairs; and promote high-level and all-level exchanges. They also agreed to raise the effectiveness of the existing cooperation mechanisms, enhance exchange of young military leaders and young officers; make breakthroughs in the quality of personnel training cooperation; and maintain close consultation and mutual support at regional and international multilateral mechanisms and forums.
The two defense chiefs also reached agreement on strengthening trilateral cooperation among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, including the annual meeting of the three Ministers of National Defense and joint exercises to address non-traditional security challenges.
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General Phan Van Giang and General Tea Seiha sign and exchange cooperation agreements. |
Both sides agreed to closely coordinate in managing and protecting land and maritime borders; strengthen information sharing, joint patrols, and protection of border markers; and jointly combat transnational crimes. They will continue to actively contribute to border demarcation and marker planting, coordinate in handling maritime incidents, and ensure humane treatment of fishermen. The ministers called for continued cooperation between ministries, sectors, localities and militaries in border management; strengthening economic infrastructure connectivity and border gate trade facilitation; and support for cross-border exchanges and economic activities in accordance with each country’s laws and bilateral agreements.
During the talks, the two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
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The two ministers witness the signing of cooperation between the two militaries. |
The talks concluded with the signing of the cooperation plan for 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation in personnel training, and an agreement on border cooperation by the two ministers. Generals Giang and Tea Seiha witnessed the signing of a twinning agreement between Vietnam’s Border Post of Moc Bai International Border Gate and Cambodia’s Bavet City Gendarmerie Command.
Translated by Mai Huong