Viet Nam pursues the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multi-lateralization of external relations but the country still attaches great importance to the relationships with neighboring countries, stressed PM Phuc.
He asked the two countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, respect each other's legitimate rights, cooperate in effectively settling the remaining issues, maintain a peaceful and stable environment, and enhance the friendship between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to maintain exchange of visits and contacts at high, ministerial, and local levels and coordinate closely in deploying the inked agreements.
The two sides also pledged to coordinate closely in organizing activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year in order to promote mutual understanding between the two countries, especially among young people.
The two PMs agreed to soon convene the 15th meeting of the Viet Nam-Cambodian Joint Committee for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in 2017.
They assigned the trade ministries to discuss the remaining issues of the border trade agreement for early signing.
PM Phuc suggested the two countries further accelerate transport, electricity, telecommunication, tourism, and banking connectivity in line with the master plan for economic connectivity among Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos.
The two transport ministries were tasked to speed up negotiations on a Government-level agreement on transport cooperation strategy and another agreement on construction of a highway linking Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh for signing in 2017.
The two sides agreed to continue maintaining the principle of not allowing any hostile forces to use one’s territory to cause damages to the other’s security. They also pledged to boost cooperation in fighting smuggling, illegal immigration, and crimes of all types.
Both countries tasked inferior levels to seek equitable and proper solutions that both sides can accept to soon complete the land border demarcation and landmark planting.
PM Phuc conveyed thanks to the Cambodian side for taking care of the Vietnamese communities, expressing his hope that Cambodian authorities would help speed up granting of legal papers involving Vietnamese nationals so that they could stabilize their life and make positive contributions to the development of Cambodia as well as the friendly and traditional ties between the two countries.
The two PMs agreed to urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to completely settle the illegal migration by ethnic people in Central Highlands to Cambodia based on tripartite agreement signed between Viet Nam, Cambodia and the UNHCR on January 25, 2005.
They also briefed each other on recent developments in respective countries and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concerns.
The talks took place in a friendly and sincere manner.
PM Hun Sen took the occasion to invite PM Phuc to visit Cambodia in 2017 and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.
After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of three cooperative documents on legal assistance, transfer of sentenced persons, and ethnic affairs./.
By Quang Minh
