Chongqing (VNA) – VietnameseMinister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with Cambodian Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation PrakSokhonn in China’s Chongqing city onJune 7.

Thebilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the Special ASEAN - ChinaForeign Ministers’ Meeting and the 6th Lancang - Mekong Cooperation ForeignMinisters’ Meeting.

Sonexpressed his wish to work closely with the Cambodian official and utilise thetwo foreign ministers’ direct contact channel so as to discuss and handleissues in bilateral ties as well as regional and international matters ofcommon concern in a timely manner, thereby helping to enhance the fine neighbourliness,traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam andCambodia.

PrakSokhonn congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements and expresed his deep thanks for the Vietnamese Government and people's financial aid and medical supplies forhis country to effectively cope with the new COVID-19 outbreak.

The twoministers noted with satisfaction that their countries’ relations havesustained the development trend amid the pandemic, maintained frequenthigh-level contacts and exchanges, and brought into play bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Two-way trade continues to increase, hitting 3.89 billion USD in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 122 percent.

They agreedto increase coordination in border management and prevention of illegal bordercrossings, while facilitating cross-border trading. 

During the meeting, MinisterSon thanked and asked Cambodia to continue resolving the legal status for the people of Vietnamese origin. He asked the Cambodia's competent agencies to ensure the interests and welfare for them during implementing socio-economic development policies.

In response, Deputy PM andForeign Minister Prak Sokhonn affirmed that the Cambodian Government willcontinue paying attention to and create favourable conditions for Vietnamesestudents and businesses, along with the people of Vietnamese origin, in thecountry.

He said he hopes that peopleof the two countries will soon resume exchange and tourism activities once thepandemic is brought under control.

Vietnam and Cambodian willwork together to organise practical and meaningful activities to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24) next year, thus helpingto enhance communications to raise the awareness of their people, especially the youths,of the countries’ relations.

Talking about regional andinternational issues of mutual concern, the ministers agreed to reinforce tiesat multilateral forums and join other member countries in maintaining ASEAN’ssolidarity and strengthening the bloc’s centrality so as to effectively respondto common challenges.

Minister Son affirmed thatVietnam is ready to coordinate with and assist Cambodia to successfullyorganise the 13th Asian-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit this November andserve as Chair of ASEAN in 2022./.