Vietnamese leaders said yesterday the visit of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni would help deepen traditional friendship and co-operation between the two countries.
Meeting after a welcoming ceremony, President Truong Tan Sang spoke highly of the significance of the visit, saying that it took place as the two countries were celebrating Friendship Year 2012 and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Sang congratulated the Cambodian people on the achievements they had made under the reign of the King's father, Norodom Sihanouk, and the present King.
He also praised the leadership of the Cambodian Royal Government, including its maintenance of political security, high economic growth, improved living standards and the country's increasing role in regional and world arenas. The President said Viet Nam had a consistent policy of being good neighbours with Cambodia. King Sihamoni said he was pleased to revisit Viet Nam and witness the great achievements the country has obtained in the renewal and socio-economic development process. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and people for their valuable support and assistance to Cambodia in the past and at present. He said he would follow his father, Norodom Sihanouk, and mother, Monineath Sihanouk, in consolidating this friendship. The President and the King agreed to strengthen the relationship for the interests of the two peoples as well as for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world at large. Later, the King met Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who said Viet Nam would join Cambodia's efforts in deepening ties in all fields, especially in economics, trade, investment, education and training, culture and defence. The PM sought the King's support for border demarcation and marker planting so that the two countries could complete the work on schedule and build a border line of peace and co-operation. He suggested Cambodia continue its assistance to Viet Nam in searching and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died in Cambodia, as well as creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese living in Cambodia. King Sihamoni said Viet Nam's socio-economic achievements were a great encouragement for the Cambodian people. Later, he met National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung who said the Vietnamese people would join the Cambodian people in preserving traditional friendship. The King said he was pleased at the close ties between the two legislatures, especially the recent Viet Nam-Cambodia legislative friendship conference in HCM City
