In a phone conversation on 12 December 2024, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, held discussions with his Vietnamese counterpart, His Excellency Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam. The conversation aimed to strengthen the traditional friendship and productive cooperation between Cambodia and Viet Nam.
His Excellency Sokhonn expressed gratitude to His Excellency Bui Thanh Son for his warm congratulations on his reappointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, pledging a commitment to work closely with his Vietnamese counterpart to forge stronger bilateral ties. This exchange underscores the value placed by both sides on their long-standing relationship.
The conversation highlighted several recent high-level exchanges between Cambodia and Viet Nam, including the state visit of His Majesty the King of Cambodia to Viet Nam in November 2024 and the state visit of General Secretary TO Lam, then President of Viet Nam, to Cambodia in July 2024. These visits have further consolidated Cambodia-Viet Nam good neighborliness.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed on arranging other high-level engagements in the near future. They also exchanged views on various cooperation activities, including the 21st Meeting of the Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and the 13th meeting on Cooperation and Development between Border Provinces. The former will be hosted by Viet Nam, while the latter is expected to take place in Cambodia.
In addition to these upcoming engagements, the two Foreign Ministers discussed ongoing cooperation activities, including the exchange of letters on visa facilitation and mutual recognition, as well as the promotion of trade and investment between the two countries.
The conversation marked an important milestone in strengthening bilateral ties, demonstrating the commitment of both nations to their cooperative relationship. This positive development is expected to have a lasting impact on regional stability and economic growth.
A Stronger Partnership for Cambodia and Viet Nam
The strengthened partnership between Cambodia and Viet Nam underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges. As a founding member of ASEAN, Cambodia continues to prioritize its involvement in regional organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The country’s engagement with its neighbors remains a key aspect of its foreign policy.
By fostering closer ties with Vietnam, Cambodia seeks to expand its economic and strategic influence in Southeast Asia. The cooperation between the two countries will likely contribute to increased trade and investment, as well as enhanced regional security.
As Cambodia continues to navigate the complexities of international relations, its diplomatic efforts are focused on strengthening relationships with neighboring countries. The country’s commitment to regional cooperation is reflected in its participation in ASEAN summits and other multilateral forums.
In conclusion, the phone conversation between Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn and his Vietnamese counterpart marked an important step forward for Cambodia-Viet Nam relations. By strengthening their bilateral ties, both nations aim to promote peace, stability, and economic growth in Southeast Asia.