In a significant development in regional diplomacy, Vietnamese President TO Lam paid a state visit to Cambodia from July 12-13, 2024, marking the first such visit by a Vietnamese president to the Kingdom of Cambodia. The trip was a gesture of goodwill and friendship between two nations that have historically enjoyed strong ties.
The socialists Republic of Viet Nam’s President had separate royal audiences with King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath NORODOM Sihamoni and Queen-Mother NORODOM Monineath Sihanouk, followed by a state banquet hosted in his honor. The visit also included meetings with the President of the Senate, the President of the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia.
During the talks, the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in all fields at every level between Cambodia and Viet Nam. They emphasized the importance of strengthening connectivity to improve trade, tourism, and investment, as well as promoting economic exchanges between the two nations.
The Cambodian and Vietnamese leaders also praised each other’s efforts to strengthen security cooperation, including the fight against transnational crimes such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. They agreed to expand the scope of Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Young Leaders’ training programs to enhance mutual understanding, friendship, and collaboration.
In addition, the two countries discussed ways to promote tourism between the two nations by establishing more direct flights between popular tourist destinations in Vietnam and Cambodia. They also touched on the possibility of increasing connectivity through the early opening of border checkpoints and expressways connecting the two countries.
Energy cooperation was another key area of discussion, with Samdech Thipadei expressing appreciation for Viet Nam’s continued support for Cambodia’s proposal to increase electricity supply. The leaders agreed to meet soon to discuss consolidating strategic cooperation in energy.
The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation between the News of Viet Nam (VNA) and the Cambodia News Agency (AKP).
Other topics covered during President TO Lam’s meeting with Cambodian leaders included cooperation in education, cultural exchanges, and facilitation of consular issues. The visit was also marked by courtesy calls from Samdech Kittisangahapundit MEN Sam An, President of the Cambodia-Viet Nam Friendship Association, and meetings with over 200 Cambodian alumni from Viet Nam.
The visit highlights the importance of Cambodia’s role in regional diplomacy and its commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries. As a key player in the ASEAN region, Cambodia continues to play a crucial role in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation among nations.
Conclusion:
President TO Lam’s historic state visit to Cambodia marks an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations between the two nations. The visit demonstrates the strong commitment of both sides to deepening cooperation and strengthening ties in various fields. As Cambodia continues to navigate its foreign policy priorities, this visit serves as a testament to the country’s enduring role as a regional leader.