Phnom Penh (VNA) - The July 12-13 Cambodia visit by State President To Lam once again affirওms that the Vietnamese Party and State always value the strengthening and consolidation of solidarity, friendship, and cooperation with neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang.

This visit, President Lam’s first overseas trip since assuming office, comes on the heels of the 57th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties (June 24). Tang said he believes that the visit holds profound significance, aiming to solidify ties under the motto of "fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability". The relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia has become a cornerstone of each nation's sustainable development, particularly amid the complexities and uncertainties of the global and regional landscape. The diplomat highlighted the impressive trajectory of bilateral ties. As of today, Vietnam boasts 208 active investment projects in Cambodia, totally valued at nearly 3 billion USD. On the other way, Cambodia has 35 projects worth USD 75.76 million in Vietnam. Two-way trade for the first five months of 2024 already reached 4.6 billion USD, with projections indicating a return to the USD 10 billion mark by year's end. Beside political ties, Vietnam and Cambodia are collaborating extensively across education, sci-tech, culture, and health care. Their parliaments, ministries, and socio-political organisations have also witnessed significant progress in joint initiatives. Tang identified high-tech, digital and clean technologies, digital transformation, and processing industry as promising areas for future cooperation, attracting significant interest from both Vietnamese and Cambodian businesses. Tourism presents another promising field for deepened collaboration. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently expressed enthusiasm for fostering stronger tourism ties between Cambodia and Vietnam, potentially creating a "Two Countries, One Destination" or "Three Countries, One Destination" (including Laos) tourism circuit, he said. Tang urged both nations to seize opportunities and overcome challenges to achieve substantial progress in all aspects of their partnership, with a particular focus on economic cooperation as a new driving force. The diplomat underscored the importance of maintaining and enhancing cooperation in national defence-security, and external affairs. Regular consultations at multilateral forums and global stages will help safeguard the interests of both countries and contribute to global and regional peace, stability and development, he said, stressing the need to maintain and strengthen cooperation between ministries, agencies, localities, and socio-political organisations. Finally, he called for raising public awareness, particularly among younger generations, on the tradition of Vietnamese-Cambodian solidarity and friendship. Empowering future generations to understand and preserve these ties is vital for the continued benefit of both nations, he said./.