Hanoi (VNA) – Permanent Deputy PrimeMinister Truong Hoa Binh expressed his wish that Senior Minister and Ministerof Cults and Religion of Cambodia Him Chhem would help strengthen solidarityand mutual understanding between the two countries’ peoples during a receptionin Hanoi on May 8.

Binh hoped the Cambodian people will reapgreater achievements in national development under the rule of King NorodomSihamoni and the sound leadership of the Cambodian Senate, National Assembly andgovernment in which the Cambodia People’s Party plays a crucial role.

He expressed his delight at the developmentof bilateral ties over the past years, evidenced by a State visit by PartyGeneral Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong in February and trips toVietnam by King Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen in December 2018.

The host thanked PM Hun Sen for attendingthe funeral of former President, General Le Duc Anh, adding that Vietnam –Cambodia friendship at all levels and people-to-people diplomacy in borderareas are invaluable.

Speaking highly of the outcomes ofcooperation between Vietnam’s Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs andCambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion, especially in training for ethnicaffairs personnel, Binh said both countries share cultural similarities andBuddhism plays an important role in their spiritual lives.

He asked the minister to assist with seekingmeasures to ensure the rights of overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia.

The Cambodian informed his host on earliertalks between him and Minister and Chairman of the Committee on Ethnic MinorityAffairs Do Van Chiend, during which they discussed measures to improve theefficiency of joint work in ethnic affairs.

Chhem wished the Vietnamese government wouldassist the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion in training ethnic affairs personnel,contributing to bilateral friendship and cooperation.-VNA