Vietnam, Cambodia seek ways to step up bilateral ties
The Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JC 17) opened in Phnom Penh on August 20.
Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Commission for Economic, Cultural,Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JC 17) opened in Phnom Penh on August20.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and Secretary ofState at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and InternationalCooperation Eat Sophea co-chaired the event.
The annual meeting aims to promote the scale and efficiency of bilateral cooperationin a range of spheres, while offering an opportunity for the two sides toexchange viewpoints on collaboration within regional and international frameworks.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh isscheduled to pay a courtesy visit to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Senbefore he and Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation Prak Sokhonn co-chair the plenary session of JC 17 onAugust 21.
According to a press release from the Cambodian ministry, JC 17 will help toenhance the relationship between the two countries, and contribute to regionaland international peace and prosperity.
Trade between Vietnam and Cambodia reached 4.7 billion USD in 2018, up 23.8percent year-on-year. In the first five months of 2019, the number stood at 2.3billion USD, up 19.1 percent against the same period last year. It is expectedto hit 5 billion USD this year.
Vietnam is one of Cambodia’s five biggest investors. The country has, to date,run 214 projects worth over 3 billion USD in the neighbouring country. Vietnamese businessesin Cambodia have contributed to economic development as well as social welfarein the host country.
Besides, Vietnam is also one of the biggest sources of tourists to Cambodia,with nearly 900,000 holidaymakers in 2018.
The two countries have signed many deals to promote their economic ties such asthe framework agreement on Vietnam-Cambodia economic connectivity by 2030, theaction plan for Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam economic connectivity, the agreement ondouble taxation avoidance and the memorandum of understanding (MoU) ontransport cooperation by 2025 with a vision towards 2030.
Vietnam’s national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and the Cambodian Ministry ofTourism also signed a MoU on tourism connectivity.
The two countries are preparing for the signing of a border trade agreement in2019.-VNA
Deputy Minister of Defence, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh on July 23 suggested Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence direct its military units to effectively implement annual protocols, cooperation plans and agreements signed between the two countries’ high-ranking officials and defence ministries.
A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and other representative offices of Vietnam in Phnom Penh led by Ambassador Vu Quang Minh offered incense to martyrs at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument on July 26 on the occasion of the 72nd Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27).
The Vietnam–Cambodia and Cambodia–Vietnam friendship associations on July 29 issued a joint statement, strengthening friendly neighborliness, traditional friendship and long-term cooperation between the two nations.
The Vietnam-Cambodia border friendship exchange programme at the level of High Command will take place in the southern province of An Giang from August 27 to 28.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
