At the invitation of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Madame led a high-level Vietnamese delegation to pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 24 to 26 April 2017.

During the visit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had the Royal audience with His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, held talks with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen, and met with President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey Say Chhum and President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also paid a courtesy call on Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong.

Also within the framework of the visit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc laid wreaths at the Independence Monument, the Monument of Samdech Norodom Sihanouk, and the Cambodia-Viet Nam Friendship Monument. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh and met the Vietnamese community in Cambodia. On this occasion, the two Prime Ministers presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Long Binh border bridge (An Giang province) - Chray Thom (Kandal province) and witnessed the signing of several important cooperation documents.

In an atmosphere of solidarity, friendship, mutual understanding and trust, the leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views on the further promotion of friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Kingdom of Cambodia as well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two sides rejoiced at the excellent growth of the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Cambodia and Viet Nam over the past years, which had brought about practical benefits to both peoples. Both sides agreed that strengthening and developing the friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Viet Nam were of crucial importance to both countries. Both sides remained committed to the continual strengthening and fostering of bilateral relations according to the motto of “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability,’’ to the full observance of the principles stated in the Cambodia-Viet Nam Joint Statements of 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2014, June 2016 and December 2016, respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, not allowing any hostile force to use the territory of one country to menace the national security of the other, and settling emerging issues between the two countries by peaceful means, increasing high-level meetings and contacts as well as exchange of delegations at all levels and encouraging people-to-people contacts, especially between provinces in border areas. They also agreed to work closely to effectively implement agreements and treaties between the two countries and governments.

Both sides agreed that activities celebrating the Viet Nam- Cambodia Friendship Year of 2017 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (June 24th 1967-June 24th 2017) were of profound significance in deepening the understanding of the two peoples, especially the young generations. The two sides agreed to continue fostering cooperation in different areas, especially those in which each country has advantages, trying their best to reach the set goal of bilateral trade volume of US$ 5 billion in the years to come. Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination in preventing cross-border smuggling and trade fraud, reaffirmed their respect for and full implementation of border delimitation treaties and relevant border agreements concluded by the two States. They highly appreciated the efforts of the Joint Commission on Demarcation and Abornment for Land Boundary (JBC) for having accomplished approximately 84% of the land border demarcation and maker planting workload on the basis of the border delimitation treaties between the two countries.

Building on these achievements, the two sides expressed the determination to complete the planting of border sub-pillars and supplementary makers within 2017 as well as finalize and approve relevant demarcation and marker planting dossiers in accordance with the JBC’s regulations with a vision to sign a legal document to acknowledge the accomplishment of the above-mentioned 84% of the total demarcation workload and to find a definitive solution acceptable to both sides to the remaining border segments in order to complete land border demarcation and marker planting process as soon as possible.

The two sides pledged to continue to create favorable conditions for expats of one country to live, in the other’s territory in accordance with each country’s law. Given the growing complexities in the regional and global context, the two sides agreed to increase coordination, information sharing and mutual support in multilateral forums, continue working closely within ASEAN frameworks in the common efforts to build a rule-base, people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN Community, being in the center of all regional process.

The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security in the East Sea, settling disputes by peaceful means, exercising self-restraint and refraining from the threat or use of force in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The two sides are committed to work closely within ASEAN-China framework for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), work closely with each other and other member states within the framework of the Mekong River Commission and other Mekong cooperation mechanisms in order to ensure sustainable use and management and conservation of the water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin in consistence with international law and practices as well as harmonize the interests of riparian countries with the goal of sustainable development in the region.

After the talks, the two signed issued the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Statement.

The official visit to Cambodia by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is an important historic event of profound significance, actively contributing to the advancement of the solidarity, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation between Cambodia and Viet Nam for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.