Cambodian, Vietnamese leaders inaugurate final border marker

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan dung and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen inaugurated border marker No. 314.

 

PHNOM PENH, 24 June 2012 (Cambodia Herald) -Cambodian and Vietnamese leaders inaugurated on Sunday Border Marker 314, the final marker on the boundary between the two countries, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The marker is located between Kampong Trach district in Kampot province and the Vietnamese town of Ha Tien in Kien Giang province.

VNA noted that it was the second time that Prime Minister Hun Sen and Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung had attended the inauguration of border markers. 

"These showed the resolve and efforts by both governments in implementing treaties, agreements and deals on border and territorial work, helping the two sides complete all work on border demarcation and marker planting soon," it said.

VNA said the ceremony was attended by Cambodian Deputy Prime Ministers Men Sam On and Sar Kheng, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and other senior officials.

Hun Sen was quoted as saying that the inauguration was an "event of significance", satisfying the desires of both nations to build a "borderline of peace, stability, cooperation and development" while promoting cooperation among Mekong countries.

He described recent achievements in border demarcation and marker planting as a "new chapter" in the history of the two countries.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Dung also stressed the special significance of the inauguration of Marker 314. He said the event marked the joint success in building a borderline of peace, friendship and cooperation for development, VNA said. 

In addition to satisfying the fundamental interests and desires of both peoples, Dung said it also created a new dynamic for the two countries to fulfill early all work on land border demarcation and marker planting. 

Dung was quoted as saying that the inauguration facilitated exchanges, economic cooperation and stability for people in the neighboring provinces. He said it also contributed to promoting friendship and comprehensive cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment and tourism.

 

The oppositions and government critics said the border demarcations that have been carried out by Cambodia and Vietnam today have ceded large chunks of Cambodian territory to Vietnam.