Hanoi (VNA) - The visits to Laos and Cambodia by PartyGeneral Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong are important external activitieswhich have profound meaning in the relationshipbetween Vietnam and the neighbouring countries, said head of the CommunistParty of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations HoangBinh Quan.

The selection of Laos and Cambodia as destinations for his first visit in hisposition as new General Secretary and President of Vietnam is to affirm the consistentpolicy of the Vietnamese Party and State in the relations with the two nations, Quan told media.

The visits are very successful as the sides reached important agreements, accordingto Quan.

They affirmed the high appreciation and determination of the threecountries’ leaders in constantly strengthening special political trust; and fosteringsolidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laosand Cambodia.

Talks, meetings, as well as the joint statements deeplyreflected the long-term strategic vision and high determination to make the Vietnam-Laosand Vietnam-Cambodia relations become more dynamic, practical and effective.

Vietnamese and Lao leaders agreed to promote comprehensive cooperation, while givingpriority to each other in accordance with the nature of the special relationsand great friendship between the two nations. Many measures and majororientations were proposed for each field of cooperation.

The two sides’ leaders emphasised the need to economic, tradeand investment cooperation, as well as their connection in transportation,electricity and telecommunications development.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders of the countries agreedto continue strengthening political trust between the two parties and the twocountries through regular meetings and contacts in various forms; coordinatingto maintain and improve the effectiveness and practicality of bilateral cooperationmechanisms.

They attached great importance to promoting the connection between the twoeconomies towards sustainable and long-term development on the principle ofmutual assistance and benefit.

The two sides pledged to continue cooperating closely and effectivelyin defense-security, considering this an important pillar in their bilateralcooperation.

They agreed to finalise the signing of legal documents to record the completionof 84 percent of their demarcation and bordermarker planting workload on land,seek solutions in accordance with international law and practice to sooncomplete the remaining work, and work closely to fight arguments and actions totake advantage of border issues to undermine the Vietnam-Cambodia relations.

Leaders of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia discussed substantiallyto promote common perceptions on the need to exchange information, closely coordinateand provide mutual support in international and regional issues at multilateralforums, especially within the framework of ASEAN, the UN and the MekongSub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace,stability, security and safety in the East Sea, and supported ASEAN's role andprinciples. They agreed to promote the settlement of disputes in the sea bypeaceful measures based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and work withrelevant parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)and soon reach a Code of Conduct inthe East Sea (COC).

Both Laos and Cambodia support Vietnam’s candidacy as a non-permanent member ofthe UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and the chair of ASEAN Chairin 2020, Quan said. -VNA