Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) meets with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn (Photo: VNA)

The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the Special ASEAN - China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 6th Lancang - Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Son expressed his wish to work closely with the Cambodian official and utilise the two foreign ministers’ direct contact channel so as to discuss and handle issues in bilateral ties as well as regional and international matters of common concern in a timely manner, thereby helping to enhance the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Prak Sokhonn congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements and expresed his deep thanks for the Vietnamese Government and people's financial aid and medical supplies for his country to effectively cope with the new COVID-19 outbreak.

The two ministers noted with satisfaction that their countries’ relations have sustained the development trend amid the pandemic, maintained frequent high-level contacts and exchanges, and brought into play bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Two-way trade continues to increase, hitting 3.89 billion USD in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 122 percent.

They agreed to increase coordination in border management and prevention of illegal border crossings, while facilitating cross-border trading.

During the meeting, Minister Son thanked and asked Cambodia to continue resolving the legal status for the people of Vietnamese origin. He asked the Cambodia's competent agencies to ensure the interests and welfare for them during implementing socio-economic development policies.

In response, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn affirmed that the Cambodian Government will continue paying attention to and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students and businesses, along with the people of Vietnamese origin, in the country.

He said he hopes that people of the two countries will soon resume exchange and tourism activities once the pandemic is brought under control.

Vietnam and Cambodian will work together to organise practical and meaningful activities to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24) next year, thus helping to enhance communications to raise the awareness of their people, especially the youths, of the countries’ relations.

Talking about regional and international issues of mutual concern, the ministers agreed to reinforce ties at multilateral forums and join other member countries in maintaining ASEAN’s solidarity and strengthening the bloc’s centrality so as to effectively respond to common challenges.

Minister Son affirmed that Vietnam is ready to coordinate with and assist Cambodia to successfully organise the 13th Asian-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit this November and serve as Chair of ASEAN in 2022./. VNA