Vietnam-Cambodia border friendship exchange in 2019
In the period 2017-2022, under the leadership and direction of the two Parties, the two States, all levels of authorities, sectors, region, and corporates of the two countries have actively coordinated and actively implemented Treaties, Cooperatives Agreements between the two Governments and cooperation programs between ministries, sectors and regions, and have achieved certain results, making an important contribution to maintaining political stability, socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in each country; and continue to consolidate and strengthen the neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, at the same time contribute to enhance the position of the two Parties, the two countries, actively contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world. The specific results are as follows:
Political relation is maintained, playing a pivotal and directional role in the relationship between the two countries
The two countries continued to affirm that the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship is developing more and more deeply, practically and effectively in various fields, and has become a valuable common asset of the two peoples and an important factor to ensure the victory of each country’s cause of Homeland’s construction and protection, and we determine to preserve, constantly promote and pass on to future generations the traditional friendship and solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.
The two countries continue to effectively maintain and promote cooperative mechanisms between the two sides; to intensify exchanges and visits, meetings and contacts between senior leaders and at all levels, including visits by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and welcomed CPP President, Prime Minister Hun Sen; President of the Senate; National Assembly Chairman Heng Samrin and visits by senior leaders of the two parties and countries. During the state visit to Cambodia by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2017 and 2019 and visits by the two countries’ senior leaders, the two sides issued a Joint Statement, which affirmed to continue reenforcing and strengthening the neighborly relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia; emphasized continuing to fully implement the principles stated in the Vietnam – Cambodia Joint Statements in 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2014, June 2016 and December 2016; reaffirmed respect and full implementation of the border planning treaties and agreements and treaties related to the border signed between the two countries.
Since 2020, in the setting of complicated developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, the two countries have not been able to conduct direct high-level delegation visits, but still maintain political relations through channels such as: phone calls, online conversations in accordance with the actual situation. There were phone calls between CPP President, Prime Minister Hun Xen and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President of the State Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, etc. The two countries had successfully organized the 11th Conference on Cooperation and Development of Border Provinces and the 19th Session of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Senior leaders of the two Parties, Governments and ministries, departments and agencies also sent letters to visit and share about the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic in both countries. The two countries have been supporting each other with medical equipment and supplies to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.
On the occasion of the “40th anniversary of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s road to national salvation” and “50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia (1967 – 2017)”, Prime Minister Hun Sen had visited Vietnam. At the meetings, Prime Minister Hun Sen had expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices that Vietnam had made for Cambodia and wished that “the relationship of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia will be forever green and unshakeable”.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed: “The destiny of the two peoples is inseparable, which is a truth from the historical reality of the two countries”.
The two countries had signed many important cooperative documents between the two Governments, between Ministries, Departments, Agencies, which facilitated legislative corridor to promote the cooperative relationship and contribute to resolve some of difficulties and blockages in implementing agreements.
The two countries have well cooperated to celebrate important anniversaries of the two Parties and the two Nations such as: the Victory Day of the Southwest Border Protection war and together with the Cambodian army and people won the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime; and the event “The road to overthrow the genocidal regime” of Prime Minister Hun Sen; propaganda on Vietnam-Cambodia relations on the occasion of important holidays of the two parties and two countries; The Central Committee, senior leaders of the two parties and two countries have sent congratulatory messages and courtesy messages to each other on the occasions of the founding days of the Party, the traditional New Year, and the Independent Days.
The two countries are actively preparing for the collaboration of practical and meaningful activities on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation (June 24, 1967 – June 24, 2022), to contribute to promote the message to the people, especially the young generation of the two countries, to cherish and preserve the good relations between the two peoples.
Establishment of diplomatic relation
Cooperation in defense, security and foreign affairs continues to be reenforced, becoming closer and more effective as the mainstay of the relation between the two countries.
The two countries have closely coordinated to maintain political stability and ensure national defense and security in each country; have executed well the Protocol on National Defense and the annual plan on cooperation in defense and security between the two Defense Ministries, between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Cambodia. The two countries have cooperated to build a stable border line; have been affirming the principle of not allowing any force to use the territory of one country to destroy the other; have coordinated to exchange delegations at all levels; have increased the sharing of professional experience and expertise; have organized emergency/rescue drills in border areas; have maintained joint patrols at sea and on land; have promptly coordinated to prevent and effectively fight off counter-destructive activities of hostile forces; have coordinated to prevent transnational crimes, especially drug trafficking; have closely cooperated in the search, removal and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died during wars in Cambodia; have collaborated to repair 23/25 Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Radio Stations in the provinces/cities of Cambodia.
The two countries have strengthened collaboration in foreign defense, security and diplomatic activities at international and regional forums; have regularly carried out political consultations; have shared information in timely manner and coordinated closely, effectively; have provided mutual support at international and regional forums, especially within the cooperation framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations, and cooperation mechanisms in the Greater Mekong Subregion to contributed to maintaining peace, stability and development cooperation in the region and the world.
Regarding the border, the two countries have completed the demarcation and marking of about 84% of the land border (1,045 km) with 2,048 border markers planted at 1,554 positions. At the same time, the two countries signed 02 legal documents on October 5, 2018 recognizing the achievement of landmark demarcation, recording 84% of the achievement of demarcation and marking, therefore, the whole route is only about 213km without demarcation. On December 22, 2020, the two countries coordinated to organize an online ceremony to exchange ratification documents for the two legal documents on the border to officially take effect. The signing of these two legal documents is of great significance, laying the foundation for the two countries to maintain stability and promote economic development in the border area.
Positive development in economic, cultural and educational cooperation.
The two countries have proactively coordinated in implementing the Treaties between the two Governments and the Agreements at the meeting of the Vietnam – Cambodia Joint Committee; strengthen the work of guiding, inspecting, urging, promptly exchanging to remove difficulties and obstacles to promote cooperation.
Regarding investment cooperation, Vietnam currently has 188 valid investment projects in Cambodia, with a total registered investment capital of about 2.846 billion USD, stand at second position among 78 countries and territories in which Vietnam have invested. Vietnam’s investment activities in Cambodia have been present in 18/25 provinces/cities and most important fields such as: agriculture (registered capital is 2.07 billion USD), telecommunications, banking, financial services (registered capital is 369 million USD), manufacturing industry (registered capital 84.3 million USD), mining (registered capital is 58.5 million USD), aviation, tourism. Currently, there are many Vietnamese enterprises trying to overcome all difficulties to invest and operate effectively in Cambodia such as: Viettel Telecommunications Group, Vietnam Rubber Industry Group (VRG), Electricity Group Vietnam Power (EVN), Vinamilk joint Venture company have inaugurated the Angkor Dairy Factory… Enterprises have not only invested and operated business effectively, strictly fulfilled their tax obligations, but also contributed to socio-economic development and improvement of living standards, actively contributed to social security, increase budget revenue, promote infrastructure development and create jobs for thousands of Cambodian workers. The promotion of bilateral economic cooperation has become the glue that binds the solidarity and friendship of the two peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia more and more firmly.
Currently, Cambodia has 21 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of 64 million USD, ranking 54th among 132 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
Regarding trade, the total two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia continues to maintain a growth momentum, reaching $9.3 billion in 2021; increased by 84% over the same period in 2020, of which Vietnam’s exports to Cambodia reached 4.7 billion USD, imports from Cambodia reached 4.6 billion USD. However, it is worth noting that Cambodia still holds the position of the second largest export market of Vietnam in the ASEAN region (after Thailand).
The two countries had signed an Agreement to promote bilateral trade between Vietnam and Cambodia for the period of 2019-2020; a Memorandum of Understanding on developing and connecting Vietnam – Cambodia border trade infrastructure; a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Trade Promotion, Border Model Market in Da commune, Memot district, Tbong Khmum province, Cambodia which was inaugurated and handed over on December 24, 2019. The two countries have also agreed on the contents of the Vietnam – Cambodia Border Trade Agreement. Over the time, Vietnam and Cambodia have also given preferential import and export taxes for the goods from two sides.
Trade cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia has been actively promoted by many activities of business forums, Vietnam aviation fairs and exhibitions in Cambodia, opening of border gate economic zones; building a legal corridor and infrastructure to serve the increasing trade between the two sides.
Regarding cooperation on energy, currently the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) Group has sold electricity to Cambodia via the 220kV Chau Doc – Ta Keo line, 0.73 billion kWh in 2018 and 1.31 billion kWh in 2019; via 35kWh, 22kV voltage cable (medium voltage grid across 17 border gates) in 2018 reached 358 million kWh and by the end of 2019 it was 466 million kWh. In 2021, the electricity output sold to Cambodia is about 923 million kWh. The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the electricity sector with the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Cambodia, in which Vietnam would increase the capacity of selling electricity by 50MW to Cambodia through the voltage level of 220kV.
Regarding transport cooperation, currently the two countries are actively promoting transport connections between the two sides and had signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Transport Cooperation Strategy for the period 2018-2025, with a vision to 2030; Agreement on road transport between the Governments of the two countries; Vietnam – Cambodia Water Transport Agreement; had opened flight routes from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap to Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City; Agreement on the location of railway connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.
Regarding agriculture, currently, Vietnam is supporting Cambodia to train the labor resource and transfer scientific and technical advances in cultivation, husbandry and aquaculture. The two countries have closely collaborated in the work of animal and plant quarantine, forest protection, anti-exploitation, illegal transportation of timber and wildlife trade across the border areas of the two countries which contribute to sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. Regarding fisheries, the two countries have regularly exchanged in order to prevent and deal with the situation of fishing vessels of the two countries that violating each other’s waters; havee strengthened cooperation on: fishing vessel control and supervision; aquaculture and protection of aquatic resources; quality control of aquatic products.
Regarding cooperation in planting rubber trees in Cambodia, currently Vietnam Rubber Industry Group, Hoang Anh Gia Lai Joint Stock Company, several Vietnamese military and private enterprises have been implementing projects of planting rubber trees in Cambodia. In which, Vietnam Rubber Industry Group has established 16 subsidiaries to implement 20 projects in 7 provinces of Cambodia, rubber area being exploited reached 87,892 ha (out of the total registered is 120,291 ha). Currently, the Group has invested in 03 processing factories with a total capacity of 41,000 tons/year (in Kampong Thom, Rattanakiri provinces).
The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association has been operated effectively
Cooperation in education, training and human resource development is an area of interest to both countries. Every year we give Cambodia hundreds of scholarships for long-term and short-term training and Cambodia gives us 35 scholarships. In addition, the two sides are strengthening cooperation in the field of vocational training through organizing human resource development activities. We are currently implementing a project to establish a Center for Vietnamese Studies at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
Cooperation and mutual assistance between departments, ministries, branches, agencies of the National Assembly, the Front, mass organizations and regions have continued to be promoted and become more practical.
The two countries have exchanged delegations, experiences, help and support each other, especially provinces that share a common border; have continued to expand infrastructure construction, medical care, training and develop human resources, ensure security, order and safety in border areas of the two countries.
People-to-people diplomacy activities are interested and promoted, the two countries have organized many activities to exchange delegations, exchange experiences, exchange culture, arts and sports, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, especially the provinces sharing a border, promoting the two countries’ relation to develop deeper, practical and effective./.
L.Q