In a statement released on 30 Oct 2023, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced significant outcomes from the Eighth Political Consultations between the two ministries. The consultations took place in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, from October 25-27, 2023, marking an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between Cambodia and Vietnam.
During the talks, both sides expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and industrial supply chains. His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister SOK Chenda Sophea welcomed the Vietnamese delegation and congratulated them on the fruitful outcomes of the consultations, which contributed to strengthening good neighborliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
The Cambodian-Vietnamese relations have long been built on the foundation of a strong bilateral relationship. Both sides reiterated their commitment to advancing comprehensive cooperation based on the spirit of "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability." The consultations also focused on promoting synergy of complementary cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, and people-to-people connectivity.
During the talks, both sides discussed regional and international issues of common interest, including US-China relations, Israel-Hamas conflicts, Russia-Ukraine crisis, South China Sea, and Myanmar issues. They agreed to further strengthen their multilateral cooperation, particularly in the UN, ASEAN, and other Mekong sub-regional frameworks.
In economic cooperation, Cambodia and Vietnam agreed to increase bilateral trade despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two co-chairs set a new trade target up to 2030. They also discussed enhancing trade facilitation between the two countries through effective implementation of existing agreements.
Tourism cooperation was another key area of discussion, with both sides sharing the view that the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos should facilitate the flow of tourists between the three countries to harness the huge potential of the tourism sector. They also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in education and culture.
The consultations concluded with the two sides agreeing to promote cooperation between the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations (NIDIR) of Cambodia and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) to contribute to human resource development and deepen bilateral ties. They encouraged both institutions to speed up finalization of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its early signing.
Both Ministries of Foreign Affairs agreed to convene the Ninth Political Consultations in 2025 in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, His Excellency Do Hung Viet expressed his high appreciation to the Cambodian host for the warm welcome and cordial hospitality extended to the delegation during their stay in Sihanoukville. The visit marks an important step forward in strengthening Cambodia-Vietnam relations, which are essential for regional peace and stability.
Conclusion:
The Eighth Political Consultations between the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrate the strong commitment to bilateral cooperation between the two countries. As Cambodia and Vietnam continue to navigate complex global challenges, their partnership will play a crucial role in promoting regional peace, stability, and economic growth.