(Bqp.vn) - On November 13, Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang hosted the welcome ceremony for his Cambodian counterpart General Tea Seiha, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.
General Phan Van Giang (R) welcoming General Tea Seiha.
General Phan Van Giang and General Tea Seiha inspecting the Guards of Honor of the Vietnam People’s Army.
The two sides held talks right after the welcome ceremony. At the talks, General Phan Van Giang warmly received General Tea Seiha, who is visiting Vietnam for the first time as Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense. He expressed his confidence that the visit would be fruitful, leading to an enhanced level of defense cooperation between the two countries and further strengthening the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, especially within their respective military forces.
During the talks.
General Phan Van Giang extended his congratulations to the Cambodian visitor on the momentous occasion of the 70th anniversary of Cambodia's Independence Day and the establishment of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (November 9, 1953 - 2023). He also commended Cambodia on its significant accomplishments in both domestic and international affairs, particularly highlighting the victory of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in the seventh National Assembly election held in July this year, as well as the successful hosting of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) in May. General Phan Van Giang expressed his belief that with the leadership of the CPP, headed by Chairman Hun Sen, and the Cambodian government and Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia will achieve even greater successes in the future.
General Phan Van Giang speaking at the talks.
Expressing thanks to the host for his congratulations, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Natonal Defense for giving support to the development of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, General Tea Seiha emphasized that his visit aimed to deepen the two countries and two militaries’ ties. He confirmed that he will continue to inherit and promote the attainments that previous generations had obtained to foster the relationships between the two nations and militaries.
General Tea Seiha speaking at the talks.
At the talks, the two sides spoke highly of the positive outcomes of the bilateral defense cooperation, saying that it continues to be one of the important pillars in the two countries’ relations. They highlighted the effective maintenance of all-level delegation exchange, particularly at high level; active establishment and implementation of defense cooperation mechanisms; effective coordination in border protection, implementation of border marker demarcation and planting work, cooperation in training and collection of remains of Vietnamese volunteer troops and advisors who sacrificed their lives in the war in Cambodia, among others.
General Phan Van Giang presenting a souvenir to General Tea Seiha.
Regarding future cooperation, both defense ministers agreed to boost coordination and effectively implement the 2019 - 2024 protocol and the yearly cooperation plan, lifting the bilateral defense ties to a new height, making active contribution to the fruitful development of the two countries’ good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability. Cooperation will focus on exchange of all-level delegations, personnel training, dissemination of information about the two militaries and peoples’ friendly ties, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, prevention of cross-border crimes, illegal border-crossings and immigration, and consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums and defense-military meetings.
General Tea Seiha presenting a souvenir to General Phan Van Giang.
They also agreed to successfully organize the upcoming first Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia border defense friendship exchange and the first annual meeting among the three defense ministers in December this year. They emphasized that these events hold great significant meanings and confirm the political determination of three countries, three militaries in preserving and consolidating friendship and solidarity among three neighboring countries.
All delegates in a joint photo.
On the occasion, General Phan Van Giang invited his Cambodian counterpart and other leaders of the Cambodian Defense Ministry and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Vietnam International Defense Expo next year. General Tea Seiha accepted the invitation with pleasure.
