Phnom Penh (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister of CambodiaMen Sam An has emphasised Vietnam’s assistance in building peace in her countryduring a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the 50thfounding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967).

She said over the last five decades, Cambodiaand Vietnam have built up traditional solidarity, friendship and cooperation.They have been side by side as brothers, comrades and neighbours and haveobtained enormous victories in cooperation in all spheres.

During wartime, the two countries joinedtogether to fight the common enemies of French colonialists and Americanimperialists and successfully liberate their nations, thus gainingindependence, autonomy and freedom.

The Cambodian people always keep in mind thesupport of the people and volunteer soldiers of Vietnam, who sacrificed theirlives to help free Cambodia from Pol Pot’s genocidal regime on January 7, 1979.After Cambodia was liberated, Vietnam strongly assisted the country to organiselocal administration and build state power at grassroots levels. It also sentmany technical experts to help build a new country of Cambodia and prevent thereturn of the genocidal regime, she noted.

“The great friend Vietnam helped build peace inCambodia,” the Deputy PM stressed.

[Vietnam’s economic pr♊esence assists Cambodia’s growth]

She said people of the two countries have hadrelations in all aspects, especially goods exchange. Travel activities in borderareas are also increasing as both sides agreed to boost transport connectivityin all forms, from roads, waterways to aviation.

Men Sam An said on behalf of theCambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association and the Cambodian people, she thankedthe Party, State, army and people of Vietnam for greatly supporting theCambodian people throughout history.

With regard to the milestones in bilateral ties,she noted the two peoples and armies have been good and faithful neighboursassisting each other in hardships. The two countries have developed veryclose-knit friendship and cooperation and mutual understanding. The CommunistParty of Vietnam and the Cambodian People’s Party also have similar policieswhich highlight the friendship spirit and not intervene into each other’sinternal affairs.

To enhance their relations, Vietnam and Cambodiashould maintain all-faceted cooperation, particularly mutual visits to learnfrom each other’s experience, the official said, adding that they need totogether resolve problems and difficulties by peaceful measures and avoid theuse of force or weapons.

It is also necessary to educate youngergenerations to respect each other and love peace, Deputy PM Men Sam Annoted.-VNA