Phnom Penh (VNA) – The new governmentof Cambodia led by the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) will still attachimportance to building relations with Vietnam, CPP Spokesman Sok Eysan toldVietnam News Agency.

The National Election Committee of Cambodia onAugust 15 announced the results of the general election held on July 29. TheCPP won all 125 parliamentary seats.

Sok Eysan said relations between Vietnam andCambodia are traditional and have gone through ups and downs over the years.

Meanwhile, opposition and reactionary forceswith insular nationalism are still seeking ways to rekindle some issues betweenthe two countries. Such acts won’t drive a wedge between the nations, hestressed.

He added the CPP defines the Vietnam-Cambodiafriendship as strategic relations with long-standing fraternity. It willcontinue enhancing these ties to make them long-term and sustainable relations.

Regarding the election, the spokesman said theCPP won a big victory after overcoming all difficulties, obstacles and sabotageof overseas opposition forces. It considered the win a great triumph of theCambodian people.

The election was carried out in a democratic,free, judicious, fair and successful manner, he claimed, noting that more than83 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. At 22,967 polling stationsnationwide, many people were queued up to vote before polls even opened. Thisshowed their desire to vote and decide the country’s destiny, he noted.

That the US and some western nations assessedthe election as undemocratic with the absence of opposition parties is biasedbecause the US, Australia and the European Union did not send observers to thiselection, he said, adding that such evaluations were inaccurate and Cambodiacannot accept them.

Sok Eysan went on to say that his country keepsviewpoints on external relations as enshrined in its constitution. Thoserelations must be based on the respect for each other’s independence,sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality as members of the United Nationand not interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

Cambodia will always be a friend of allcountries, regardless of religion and colour, he emphasised.

In the interview, the spokesman said since 1998,Cambodia has had a full stability and national conciliation with a governmentand state ruled by the King, thus opening up a new and proud era of nationaldevelopment.

In terms of the new government’s formation, SokEysan quoted CPP President Samdech Techo Hun Sen as saying that the 6thNational Assembly will convene the first session on September 5 chaired by KingNorodom Sihamoni. Later the same day, new parliamentarians will take an oath atthe Royal Palace. Members of the new government will be sworn in on September6, and the new Cabinet will have its first meeting a day later. –VNA