Vietnam yesterday pledged US$100,000 to Cambodia’s flood recovery effort as the two countries vowed to fight cross-border crimes and boost bilateral trade.

Eang Sophalleth, personal assistant to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said after the meeting between Hun Sen and the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, that the two leaders had discussed strengthening ties.

Sophalleth said Vietnam had asked for Cambodia’s help to fight cross-border crimes, such as terrorism and drug trafficking, and had pushed for bilateral trade to reach $5 billion by 2015.  

Eang Sophalleth said Hun Sen was optimistic about the goal.