Vietnam, Cambodia beef up defence ties

Manekseka Sangkum: Where will Cambodia's military [and Tea Banh] stand should war break out over the SCS between China and Vietnam?

Why bother with these protocols and formalities when there's hardly a single Cambodian soldier posted along the 1000 km plus border between the two countries?!

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Vietnam, Cambodia beef up defence ties

Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to fully and effectively actualise protocols on defence cooperation.

Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to fully and effectively actualise protocols on defence cooperation in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust, ensure a peaceful and stable environment for their economic development and foil plots to weaken their relations.

To that end, they will conduct regular exchanges of information and delegations in all areas, as consented by Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia General Tea Banh during their talks in Phnom Penh on June 1.

They will also join hands in protecting land and marine border security and create optimal conditions for border demarcation and marker planting by competent agencies.

In a parallel effort, the two sides will coordinate with each other more closely to prevent cross-border crimes, facilitate border trade and share experience in training.

General Lich affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of developing friendship and comprehensive cooperation with other countries, especially its traditional friends and neighbours.

The guest said his selection of Cambodia as one of the first countries to visit in his capacity as Defence Minister reflects that Vietnam attaches great importance to the friendship and all-round affiliation it has with the nation.

Tea Banh said Lich’s visit is significant as it helps accelerate the implementation of bilateral defence agreements and charts orientations and measures for the collaboration, continuing defence links as one of the pillars in relations between the two countries.

During his two-day official friendly visit to Cambodia, the Vietnamese minister was received by President of the National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on May 31.

The Cambodian leaders promised to create the best possible conditions for the bilateral defence links on the basis of agreements reached by the two Governments and defence ministries.

For his part, Lich said the Vietnamese defence ministry will continue the close and effective partnership with its Cambodian counterpart in order to contribute to the two countries’ relationship.

VNA