In the morning of 24 June 2017, the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and Cambodia (24 June 1967 – 24 June 2017) took place in Hanoi capital.
Attending the anniversary, representatives on the Vietnamese side include Mr. Le Kha Phieu, Mr. Nong Duc Manh – Former General Secretary, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan – Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Hung – Former Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Pham Binh Minh – Politburo Member, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the National Steering Committee for the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017, Mr. Hoang Trung Hai – Politburo Member, Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee, Mr. Tran Thanh Man – the president of the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front; leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State; leaders of committees, ministries, sectors, associations, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association; liaison committee of experts and Vietnamese volunteer corps supporting Cambodian revolution, veterans, commanders, patriotic pertionalities, intellectuals and representatives of residents in all classes of Hanoi capital.
Participants at the anniversary. Photo: Vietnam News
Attending the anniversary, representatives on the Cambodian side include Mr. Samdech Heng Samrin – Chairman of the National Assembly, Honourable President of Cambodian People Party, President of National Council of Cambodian Front for Solidarity and Fatherland Development and his wife, Mr. Men Sam An – Deputy Prime Minister, President of Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Association, high-ranking delegation of Cambodian National Assembly which is paying an official visit to Vietnam, representatives of Cambodian Embassy, students who are working and learning in Vietnam, etc.
In the speech launched at the anniversary, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan – Chairwoman of the National Assembly emphasized that Vietnam and Cambodia are close neighbors which have a long-standing and traditional relationship. This relationship has been maintained with efforts of many generations of Vietnamese and Cambodian people and considered as an invaluable asset of both nations.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan – Chairwoman of the National Assembly with her speech launched at the Anniversary. Photo: TTXVN
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan – Chairwoman of the National Assembly clearly stated that on the same date of 50 years ago, the two countries have officially established diplomatic relations. This is a great event that is a milestone in the history of the two countries. One day prior to this event, in the telegram sent to Mr. Norodom Sihanouk – the Head of Cambodian State on 23 June 1967, President Ho Chi Minh stated: “Setting up diplomatic relations between our two countries presents a brilliant expression of the bilateral friendship and solidarity. It is a historic event in the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia that is a positive factor in maintaining peace in Indochina and Southeast Asia. ”
Based on the long-standing historical relationship and the war against colonialists, the establishment of the diplomatic relations has created favourable conditions for the residents in both Vietnam and Cambodia to continuously stay side by side in the national liberation war and with the historical victory in 1975 spring. However, the Pol Pot group which betrayed the victory of Cambodia people with the ambition of establishing the genocide model titled “Democratic Cambodia” killed millions of Cambodian people. In response to the urgent call of Cambodian Front for National Solidarity and Salvation, Vietnamese soldiers and people closely coordinated with Cambodian resident and patriots in the national liberation to help Cambodian release from the Pol Pot genocide regime, prevent the return of the genocide regime and bring the rehabilitation for the country of pagodas and temples, bringing the peace and stability in the region. “The history of humankind as well as residents of both Vietnam and Cambodia will always remember the victory on 7 January 1979” – Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of the National Assembly said
After the general election in 1993, the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia moved to a new stage which is suitable with the situation of each country. Leaders and residents of both countries have continuously made efforts in strengthening the traditional friendship, the comprehensive and sustainable cooperation”. With such efforts, the bilateral relationship has been continuously promoted and developed in all fields, bringing practical benefits for residents of both countries and making positive contributions to the piece, stability and cooperation in the region and in the world. “Looking at the historical path over the past 50 years, it can be said that despite difficulties and challenges with historical rise and fall, the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia has been ceaselessly strengthened and developed. They are invaluable, sacred and sustainable assets of both nations. We believe that despite changes of the world and region, Vietnam and Cambodia will further promote and improve the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation for the benefits of Cambodian and Vietnamese residents – Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of the National Assembly emphasized.
In the speech launched at the Anniversary, Mr. Heng Samrin – Chairman of Cambodian National Assembly said that half of century for diplomatic relations between the two countries that were established by Mr. Norodom Sihanouk, the Head of Cambodian State and President Ho Chi Minh of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam passed by. In the history, both countries coordinated together in fighting, share joys and sorrows and overcame many difficulties and challenges in the struggle movement against colonialism and imperialism for the noble career, the piece and independence of each country. Following Mr. Heng Samrin – Cambodian National Assembly, both countries stepped in a new page of history and got peace, territorial integrity, developed and moved forward with a strong belief in construction of a strong national economy, bringing the development of the two countries as well as making significant contributions to the preservation of the peace, stability, cooperation and development in the world and the region.
Mr. Samdech Heng Samrin – Chairman of the National Assembly of Cambodian Kingdom with his speech launched at the Anniversary. Photo: TTXVN
At the Anniversary, Mr. Samdech Heng Samrin – Chairman of the National Assembly of Cambodian Kingdom told again about devastation of Cambodia in the middle of 1970s and the fortitude of Vietnamese volunteer corps who always stayed side by side with soldiers of the Cambodian Front for National Solidarity and Salvation in defeating the Pol Pot genocide regime. “After the liberation day 7 January 1979, thanks to the support and help of Vietnamese residents and other countries, Cambodia had opportunities for national rehabilitation, construction and development to build up Cambodia as present. “Cambodian people have been deeply impressed by and never forget the fortitude of Vietnamese people” – Mr. Samdech Heng Samrin – Chairman of the National Assembly of Cambodian Kingdom affirmed.
Performance program at the anniversary. Photo: Vietnam News
As said by Mr. Samdech Heng Samrin – Chairman of the National Assembly of Cambodian Kindom, in the past 50 years, the relationship and cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam in aspects of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly has been ceaselessly promoted and developed and got achievements which was unheard-of in the history with the motto “goo neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-standing stability” and mutual respect of the independence, sovereighty and territory integrity. “I strongly believe that examples of fortitude in the history of the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation of former and nowadays leaders should be maintained and promoted by the next generations of the both countries” – Mr. Samdech Heng Samrin – Chairman of the National Assembly of Cambodian Kindom emphasized.
Hoang Vu