Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to intensify defence cooperation in 2021, with the focus on stepping up border checks and patrols to prevent illegal entry and exit so as to contribute to each country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vietnamese Defence Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed tointensify defence cooperation in 2021, with the focus on stepping up borderchecks and patrols to prevent illegal entry and exit so as to contribute toeach country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agreement was reached by Vietnamese Defence MinisterGen. Ngo Xuan Lich and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence MinisterTea Banh during their online talks on January 8.
At the talks, both sides spoke highly of defence cooperationresults in 2020. Despite impacts of the pandemic, almost all contents in the2020 Cooperation Plan were implemented effectively, particularly cooperation intraining, the COVID-19 combat, borderline protection, and the search andrepatriation of remains of voluntary Vietnamese soldiers who died while doingduty in Cambodia during wartime.
Gen. Lich appreciated Cambodia’s support for activitieschaired by the Vietnamese Defence Ministry during Vietnam’s ASEAN ChairmanshipYear 2020, especially the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM Plusand related meetings.
Gen. Tea Banh took the occasion to congratulate Vietnam onsuccessfully assuming the role as the ASEAN Chair in 2020.
They agreed to continue carrying out contents of theProtocol for 2020-2024 period and the 2021 Cooperation Plan, with the prioritygiven to stepping up disseminations on the bilateral traditional friendship,solidary and comprehensive cooperation; improving the efficiency ofcollaboration mechanisms, particularly the Defence Policy Dialogue.
The two countries will also speed up all-level delegationexchanges, intensify cooperation in personnel training and cooperation andcoordination in preventing cross-border crimes and drug smuggling.
After the talks, the two Defence Ministers signed theCooperation Plan for 2021./.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on December 22 co-chaired the 18th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation held via video conference.
Vietnam and Cambodia on December 22 exchanged the documents ratifying the “Supplementary Treaty to the 1985 Treaty on the Delimitation of National Boundaries and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty”, also known as the 2019 Supplementary Treaty, and the protocol on land border demarcation and marker planting.
The effective implementation of the two legal documents on Vietnam-Cambodia land border, which came into force on December 22, is important to strengthening and developing the bilateral traditional friendship and all-round cooperation, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said.
Vietnam and Cambodia has reached a “historic milestone” after they officially exchanged the documents ratifying the “Supplementary Treaty to the 1985 Treaty on the Delimitation of National Boundaries and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty, known as the 2019 Supplementary Treaty, said Koy Pisey, Vice Chairwoman of the Cambodia Border Affairs Committee (CBAC).
Cambodia has stepped up checks along its borders with Vietnam and Thailand, as the new strain of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19, has been detected in the two countries.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vietnamese Defence Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich (Photo: VNA) 
