Binh Phuoc (VNA) – Vietnamand Cambodia held the first border defence exchange in the border areas of LocNinh district of the former’s Binh Phuoc province and Snuol district of thelatter’s Kratie province on May 15.

Co-chairing the event, VietnameseMinister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and Cambodian Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister of National Defence Samdech Pichay Sena Tea Banh salutedBorder Marker No. 69, planted friendship trees, witnessed a joint patrol, cutthe ribbon to open a military - civilian medical centre in Loc Ninh, and visitedtwo primary schools in the districts.

At the following talks, Giang saidthis was the first border defence friendship exchange between the two countriesat the ministerial level. It became even more meaningful as 2022 is the twocountries’ Friendship Year and marks the 55th founding anniversaryof their diplomatic ties (June 24) and the 45th anniversary ofCambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s path to topple the Pol Pot genocidal regime(June 20).

The two sides affirmed that bravingdifficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the complexinternational and regional situation, the Vietnam - Cambodia relations,including defence ties, have still been thriving.

The countries have been actively and effectively implementing the cooperationactivities agreed on at their talks in Phnom Penh in December 2021 whilefruitfully working together to share information, maintain security and socialorder and safety in border areas, assist each other in the COVID-19 fight andtraining personnel.

This has helped enhance mutualunderstanding and trust, promote their friendship and all-round connections,and defeat hostile forces’ plots to drive a wedge into the Vietnam - Cambodia solidarity,according to the officials.

For the time ahead, they agreed toincrease coordination in implementing the five-year defence cooperationprotocol and annual cooperation plans; boost all-level mutual visits; hold defencepolicy dialogues at the deputy minister level; strengthen ties between thecountries’ military regions, arms, services, and defence forces; cooperate inpolitical education; and support each other at regional and internationalforums.

Minister Giang affirmed the Vietnameseministry’s consistent support for Cambodia to successfully fulfill its role asthe ASEAN Chair in 2022.

He expressed his hope that Cambodianleaders at all levels will create favourable conditions for the Vietnamesecommunity in the country to settle down and help Vietnamese firms, including hisministry’s businesses, to operate successfully in Cambodia.

After the talks, the two ministers witnessed the signing of a cooperationagreement between the Border Guard High Command of Vietnam and Cambodia’s RoyalGendarmerie High Command.

The two countriesshare 1,137km of land border that runs across 10 provinces of Vietnam and nineprovinces of Cambodia./.