Top Cambodia lawmaker helps enhance relations [Did Heng Samrin discuss with Vietnamese leaders about the possible loss of his birth village to Vietnam?]

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (right) receives his Cambodian counterpart Heng Samrin in Ha Noi yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dan

HA NOI — Viet Nam has consistently implemented a policy of openness, multi-lateralisation and diversification of diplomacy, in which relations with traditional neighbours such as Cambodia was a priority. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the comment while holding talks with Cambodia National Assembly President Heng Samrin in Ha Noi yesterday after an official welcoming ceremony.
During the talks, Hung described their meeting in Ha Noi as a meaningful event to mark Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012 and the anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties.
In response, Heng Samrin affirmed his visit aimed to enhance the friendly relations and long-standing traditional co-operation between the two nations.
He stressed that the Party, State and people of Cambodia were always grateful for the support and help of Viet Nam in their struggle for independence in the past as well as their current building and development.

The two top legislators informed each other of the socio-economic situation in their countries and the operations of the two legislative bodies. They agreed to further deepen bilateral co-operation, particularly in external relations, and share experiences in law-making.
The two sides also agreed to promote the role of the national assemblies and deputies in pushing the implementation of signed agreements as well as economic and trade co-operation between the two countries.
After the talks, Hung and Heng Samrin signed an agreement on co-operation between the two assemblies.
The agreement says that it is important and necessary to further strengthen and develop the traditional friendship and co-operation between the two legislative bodies and that their co-operation will contribute to maintaining lasting peace and promoting co-operation and sustainable development in both countries, in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the world.
On the same day, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received Heng Samrin.
Trong warmly congratulated Cambodia for its recent development and said that under the leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni, the Cambodian National Assembly, Senate and Government led by the Cambodian People's Party, the country would continue to obtain still greater achievements.
He also wished Cambodia a successful National Assembly election, scheduled for 2013.
Praising the Viet Nam-Cambodian relationship, Trong reaffirmed Viet Nam's priorities in co-operation with Cambodia, saying that both countries should preserve this priceless relationship for future generations for the prosperous development of each country, for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress in the world.
He also highly appreciated the results of co-operation between the two assemblies and hoped the two sides would enhance co-operation in law and decision making as well supervisory activities of the two countries and to further implement signed agreements and treaties. — VNS