Cambodia is committed to consolidating its long-standing relationship with Vietnam, Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a letter congratulating the latter’s newly elected President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Phuc, 66, was elected by Vietnam’s National Assembly on April 5 after he had served as prime minister for five years.
“I believe that although we are now at different levels of development, our partnership will remain strong and continue to develop deeper cooperation between our two countries,” Hun Sen said in his letter to Phuc on April 5.
He said this has shown the immense trust and confidence that the Vietnamese communist party and people have in Phuc’s leadership.
He added that under Phuc’s stewardship, Vietnam would make greater socio-economic progress toward achieving the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045 and continue to thrive as an active player in regional and international arenas.
“I would like to reaffirm my strong commitment to working closely with President [Phuc], especially to overcome the unprecedented challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Hun Sen said.
He also exprssed to Phuc how he nutured the traditional bond of frienship and enriched both nations during his term as prime minister. This commitment contributed to peace, stability, sustainable development and prosperity for both countries, the region and the world at large.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said the countries’ mutual relationship since 1979 has been one of good and traditional neighbours.
“As we can see in many documents and the confirmation from the leaders of Cambodia and Vietnam – either at party or state level – the two nations’ leaders have always been determined to strengthen friendship and cooperation in all aspects,” he said.
Phea cautioned, however, that both nations must respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
