National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has affirmed Viet Nam and Cambodia’s determination to solidify their traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability. Long-standing relations nurtured by many generations’ efforts of the two peoples are invaluable assets of Viet Nam and Cambodia.
In her speech at ceremony marking 50 years of bilateral relations in Ha Noi on June 24, the top legislator underlined that Viet Nam and Cambodia are neighboring countries with long-standing relations. On the basis of the time-honored relationship and the fight against colonialism, the establishment of their diplomatic ties created favorable conditions for the two peoples to continue standing side by side in the struggle for national liberation, and they together won a historic victory in the spring of 1975.
In response to the urgent call of the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, the army and people of Viet Nam once again continued to be on the side of the patriotic forces and people of Cambodia to liberate the country and save the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime, prevent the return of the genocidal regime and bring recovery to Cambodia, she noted.
“On this special occasion, we express our sincere gratitude to the two peoples for their efforts and sacrifice in that lofty fight, particularly of heroic martyrs, war invalids, formers experts, former volunteer soldiers of Viet Nam who did not spare their blood and bones and sacrificed themselves to consolidate the traditional solidarity and friendship between the two nations and peoples of Viet Nam and Cambodia,” she said.
On behalf of the Cambodia people, President of Cambodia’s National Assembly Heng Samrin praised Viet Nam’s precious support for Cambodia during its national construction. He highlighted the great sacrifice of Viet Nam’s volunteer soldiers who helped free the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime on January 7, 1979.
National Assembly Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin shared socio-economic situation in Cambodia that along with maintaining macroeconomic stability, the Cambodian economy may continue to hold the growth rate of 7% per year, contributing to Cambodia achievement of its long-term goal of becoming a upper middle-income country by 2030 and becoming a high-income country by 2050.
In their speeches, Chairwoman Ngan and President Samdech Heng Samrin noted with satisfaction that despite countless difficulties and challenges over the past five decades, the solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Viet Nam and Cambodia have continually been reinforced and developed, which is a priceless, sacred and sustainable asset of the two nations.
They noted the growing bilateral co-operation between the two parliaments and in politics, security-defense, economy-trade-investment, tourism, training, culture, health care, telecommunications, and cultural exchanges.
Economic cooperation, trade and investment between the two countries have rapidly developed. Viet Nam has had 190 investment projects in Cambodia, with a total registered investment of 2,89 billion dollars mainly in agriculture and forestry. Cambodia's investment in Viet Nam has also increased, with 18 projects with a total investment of $ 58,12 million. Annual both countries trade’s turnover has reached $3 billion per year in recent years and the two sides are striving to increase bilateral turnover to $5 billion in coming years.
They added during the implementation of the foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification of international relations, the two countries have also co-ordinated closely at international and regional forums, thus helping to promote their respective prestige and stature in the region and the world.
They voiced their belief that the countries’ time-tested amity and all-round co-operation will keep thriving for the sake of the two peoples.
At the ceremony, Colonel Le Cuong, who represented Viet Nam’s former volunteer soldiers in Cambodia, shared his sentiment towards the land and people of Cambodia. He also congratulated Cambodia on its enormous achievements and affirmed that he will continue to help nurture the two countries’ friendship.
Meanwhile, Xiu Kim Hua – a Cambodian student at Ha Noi Medical University, said the youth of Cambodia always keep in mind the assistance and support that the Vietnamese leaders and people have given to their country throughout history, especially the liberation of Cambodia from the Pol Pot genocidal regime in 1979.
On behalf of the two countries’ younger generations, Xiu Kim Hua and Tran Phuong Thao, a Vietnamese student at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, affirmed younger generations’ responsibility towards the consolidation of the Viet Nam-Cambodia traditional friendship.
The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cambodia takes place in a solemn atmosphere and friendship. Representatives have enjoyed the art performances of the two cultures in a grand ceremony.
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