In the meeting, the two leaders spoke highly of the existing bilateral cooperation between the two neighbouring nations.

H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Cambodia on hosting the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2017 and on her rapid development, especially in Phnom Penh.

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith for his presence at the WEF being hosted by Cambodia from May 10 to 12.

Besides, both leaders exchanged views on border issue, the two nations’ connectivity including a cross-border bridge construction (Tonle Ropov) to promote their peoples’ living standard.

By Khan Sophirom

ខែមេសា ឆ្នាំ២០១៧

SPM Page

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Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen shakes hands with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng, at Phnom Penh International Airport this morning, before his departure for Manila, the Philippines to attend the 30th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings until April 30.

H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, Delegate Minister Attached to the Prime Minister told reporters after the courtesy meeting that Samdech Techo Hun Sen highly valued the outcome of the talks between H.E. Somkeo Silavong and Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to further strengthen the cooperation between Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior and Lao PDR’s Ministry of Public Security.

The Cambodian premier recommended both sides to fully carry out what they have agreed, underlined the delegate minister.

For his part, he added, H.E. Somkeo Silavong lauded the existing friendship and solidarity between the two neighbouring nations and wished for continued security cooperation at the border.

Yesterday, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Lao Ministry of Public Security held a fruitful discussion on their 2017 cooperation under the co-chairmanship of the two ministers.

In the meeting, both sides agreed to foster their cooperation in maintaining security, order, social safety along the common border, constant and on-time information exchange, and so on.

By Khan Sophirom

According to H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, Delegate Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his congratulations to Cambodia on her progress in all sectors, as well as the country’s sustainable economic growth, social stability, peace and so on under the wise leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

For his part, the Cambodian premier lauded Vietnam’s achievements and called on his Vietnamese counterpart to further help promoting the cross-border trade so as to boost the bilateral trade exchange to reach US$5 billion in the future, up from US$2.92 billion last year.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also encouraged the Vietnamese investors and tourists to continue visiting and doing business in Cambodia and expressed thanks to Vietnam for her support to Cambodia in the past and at the present time.

On the border affairs, both leaders agreed to authorise the border committees of the two countries to continue working together to solve the remaining issues, and pledged to build more infrastructure at the common border for the benefits of the two peoples.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen underlined that the Royal Government of Cambodia has been treating the documented Vietnamese people in Cambodia as other nationals without discrimination. He also agreed with H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s request to elaborate Khmer-Vietnamese, Vietnamese-Khmer dictionaries.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese premier announced to provide US$3 million to Cambodia for the construction of a drug addiction correctional centre in Preah Sihanouk province and US$ 2 million for the construction of a market in Thbong Khmum province.

By Khan Sophirom

AKP, April 26, 2017 –Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc paid yesterday afternoon at the Senate Palace, Phnom Penh a courtesy call on Cambodian Senate President Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum.

On the occasion, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the good ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam. They were committed to further enhance the bonds for the interests of the two peoples and nations.

Samdech Say Chhum welcomed all activities in celebration of the Friendship Year 2017 and the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between both countries. He also voiced his support to the cooperation between the Cambodian and Vietnamese governments in maintaining peace, stability and development in the two countries as well as in the region and the world.

For his part, H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc briefed Samdech Heng Samrin on the outcome of his official talks with Cambodian Premier Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and expressed his hope that the Cambodian Senate will contribute more actively to promoting the friendship and cooperation between both nations, especially among the youth.

H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc also took this opportunity to invite Samdech Say Chhum to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

The meeting also touched on the border marker planting work which has so far achieved some 84 percent and the trade and economic cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

By Khan Sophirom

Photo: Khem Sovannara

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Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and his spouse arrive here this afternoon for a three-day official visit in Cambodia, at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

Photo: Khem Sovannara

The invitation was made by visiting Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan H.E. Kazuya Nashida while meeting with Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong in Phnom Penh on April 24, H.E. Um Sokan, Assistant to H.E. Hor Namhong told reporters after the meeting.

H.E. Kazuya Nashida also informed the Cambodian DPM about Japan’s plan to establish a consulate general in the cultural province of Siem Reap in response to the growing number of Japanese tourists to Cambodia.

For his part, H.E. Hor Namhong thanked the Government of Japan for its assistance for the development of Cambodia, especially for its support to the election process in Cambodia.

He also noted the increasing number of Japanese investors in Cambodia, pointing out that the bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$1.3 billion in 2016.

By So Sophavy

CNV: 24/04/2017

In addition to the prepared text, speaking to the Inauguration the Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship Bridge Jrey Thom-Long Binh, Samdech Techo Hun Sen made the following adlib comments on transforming former battlefields into development areas:

Today, I have a great pleasure to attend with H.E Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in this Inauguration of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge, and the Connecting Road of the two countries, Cambodia-Vietnam” in Sampov Poun Commune, Koh Thom District, Kandal Province, the Kingdom of Cambodia, which is next to Long Binh District, Ang Yang Province, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, I would like to express my profound thanks to the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that rescued Cambodian people and country from Pol Pot Genocidal Regime, and highly evaluate the fraternity by contributing the resource in subsequent rehabilitation and development of Cambodian socio-economy. At the same time, Cambodia would like to congratulate the development of Vietnam Society, which will further boost the economic growth and development of neighboring country like Cambodia through this progress.
In fact, this inauguration is also perceived as the anniversary of diplomatic relation between Cambodia-Vietnam, which has been 50 years (1967-2017) by this 2017. Through this, we can say that this bridge and the connecting road is a gift of this 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relation between Cambodia-Vietnam. However, this achievement is not only the testimony of the great sympathy of the Government of Vietnam in strengthening and expanding the cooperation and solidarity between the two neighboring countries , but also strengthening the peace, stability, and order for the two nations and all countries in ASEAN as well as Mekong Sub-region. Moreover, this bridge and connecting road also strengthen and expand economic cooperation by opening the cross-border gateway, which will enhance the connectivity, promote the trade and tourism sector, and livelihood of people of the two countries.
Cambodia has accomplished abundance of achievements both in politics, security, social orders, and socio-economic development, which are pre-conditions for in-depth transitions in all aspects of socio-economy. Obviously, today we have Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge and Connecting Road between both countries, which is a very potential passage linking to markets and supporting the pace of Cambodian economic growth. With the recent additional accomplishment, Cambodia hopes to achieve an ambitious promotion of trade between both Cambodia and Vietnam to increase up to USD​5000 Million in the upcoming years that will contribute to maintaining the economic growth rate of around 7% in a year which is its growth objective after Cambodia has achieved an average growth of 7.7% in a year during two decades and that has liberated millions of Cambodian people from the poverty trap. Therefore, in order to continue Cambodian socio-economic development in a much faster pace with favorable regional and global integration, preservation of security, political stability, macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth is an important work.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to compliment related companies that have accomplished this achievement which includes SANCO One Corporation (Vietnam), Sok Sokha Company (Cambodia) (CIENCO1-SOK SOKHA) and Transport Engineering Design Joint Stock Inc. South of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that has studied technical engineering design, as well as domestic company KCEC who successfully managed and supervised technical construction as planned. I would like to express my compliment and high evaluation on management and officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, local authorities as well as all related ministries and institutions who have made their utmost efforts to guarantee the successful achievement of strategic plan for the construction of various roads and bridges infrastructure throughout the country particularly this Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge and Connecting Road.

[Start of Comments]

Please allow me to speak a little bit in addition to my speech. I have set out this policy to transform former battlefields into marketplaces, and borders with neighboring countries to areas of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. Cambodia shares over one thousand kilometers of border with Vietnam, about one thousand kilometers with Thailand and with Laos too. We want a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development to guarantee interest for people of both sides. We have realized already the objective of transforming former battlefields into marketplaces. We are now working on transforming border areas with neighboring countries into areas of development, cooperation, friendship, and as an important part in trade relations between our neighboring countries.

Since the translation has not reached to the level that I wanted to say, maybe I shall have to speak a bit in Vietnamese. When I speak in Vietnamese, some would say that I am a puppet (of Vietnam). However, when I speak in French or English, it seems no one has said I was a puppet of either of them. I am now speaking a few words in Vietnamese to stress on the meaning I wish to deliver to the Prime Minister and other leaders of Vietnam, and their people here.

Since it is not said anywhere in my prepared speech, I wish to reiterate the point I wanted to stress that we have transformed all former battlefields into market places and areas of development already. We are now working to make efforts with neighboring countries to transform borders (with neighboring countries) into areas of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. I have asked people on both sides of the border, which one do they prefer, exchange of goods, tourism, exchange of visits, or fighting. I think that people on border sites all want peace and development, not war. I hope that the bridge we are putting into official use today is a part of connectivity efforts between our two countries that are good neighbors with tradition of friendship and cooperation in every field.

[End of Comments]

Finally, with an announcement of Inauguration of the “Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge and the Connecting Road of the two countries, Cambodia-Vietnam” at the moment, I would like to wish all venerable monks, and H.E. Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, national and international distinguished guests, and compatriots, the four gems of Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Healthiness and Strength./.

While presiding over a graduation ceremony of the Asia Euro University held here this morning, the premier called on all Cambodian workers in the Republic of Korea and their relatives not worry about the situation there, stressing that the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and its officials have been paying close attention to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The RGC strongly believes that there will be no war on the Korean Peninsula, and the RGC will not evacuate the Cambodian workers there, said Samdech Techo Hun Sen, explaining, “If we do so, we’d destroy our labour market as it’s like we run away from them (when they have problem).”

According to Prime Minister Hun Sen, there are currently more than 40,000 Cambodians working in the Republic of Korea.

By Khan Sophirom