Vietnam, Cambodia celebrate 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Saturday, Jun 23, 2012, 

Saigon News

City Chairman Le Hoang Quan meets with representatives of the Consulate of Cambodia in Vietnam (Photo Phapluat)

On June 22, a ceremony was held at the Ho Chi Minh City Grand Theatre to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia. Speaking at the ceremony, Le Hoang Quan, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City emphasized on the date June 24, 1967 as having gone in history as a revolutionary struggle of the people of two resilient countries, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and King Norodom Sihanuok. In the years of fierce war, the Cambodian people supported, shared and helped in the righteous struggle of the people of Vietnam. For 45 years since Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations; both countries have witnessed a closer friendship through many ups and downs in history. This is an invaluable asset those previous generations of our forefathers passed on to today's generation, Mr. Quan stated. In 45 years, the two people cannot forget the time in late 1970s, when the country fell into the hands of Cambodia's genocidal Pol Pot regime. Facing this critical situation and responding to the call of the National Front to salvage Cambodia, the army and the people of Vietnam supported Cambodia to win the war on January 7, 1979. From that day good relations have been established and the people of the two countries are glad to see great achievements in cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia in all fields, said chairman Quan. Politically, bilateral relations have become closer through regular visits of leaders of the two countries. Furthermore, economic cooperation has been gradually expanding; export-import turnover continues to increase, reaching nearly US$ 2.8 billion in 2011. According to the chairman, there were nearly 100 investment projects in Cambodia and Vietnam with total capital of over $2.2 billion, ranking second in Vietnamese investments abroad. Regarding HCMC's investment in Cambodia, the city has 34 business projects with total investment capital of nearly $198 million. Export turnover of HCMC to Cambodia in 2011 reached 132 million USD, 1.7 times higher than in 2010; while imports reached 78.2 million, 9 times higher than in 2000. Of particular importance was the Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital project of 500 beds, worth US$42.37 million and expected to be in operational by June 2013. City Chairman Le Hoang Quan said that HCMC authorities and the people will always do their best to contribute to the traditional friendship and the comprehensive cooperation between the government and people of the two countries. On his part, Mr. Sam Samouth, the Cambodian Consulate General in HCMC said the Cambodian people remember and are deeply grateful to the Government and the people of Vietnam who have helped Cambodia to escape the past bloody genocide as well as support the reconstruction and redevelopment of Cambodia. It is expected that on June 24, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will attend the inauguration of the stone boundary marker number 314 between Kompot Province in Cambodia and Kien Giang Province in Vietnam. Until now, the two countries have constructed 240 milestones, covering 64 percent of the 375 markers. The two Prime Minister’s are also expected to attend the third conference on investment cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia in Kien Giang Province.

Source SGGP, translated by Dan