VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam attaches importance to promoting the relations of traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia, said National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and his Cambodian counterpart Heng Samrin.

Vietnam considers the traditional friendship and solidarity with Cambodia as an invaluable asset to the two countries, which should be preserved and developed for future generations, said Mr Trong.

He noted that in recent years the two legislative bodies have effectively carried out their cooperative agreements and have also overseen their governments in implementing high-level agreements.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia has increased rapidly, reaching US$1.2 billion in 2007 and the figure is expected to amount to more than US$2 billion in 2010.

He said the two countries have cooperated well in education-training, energy, electricity, health care and transport, as well as between their border and sister localities.

Mr Trong briefed his guest on Vietnam’s recent developments, saying despite the negative effects of the global economic crisis, the country has maintained political stability and social order and achieved a rather high economic growth rate of 6.23 percent.

He said that the National Assembly has constantly renewed its operation, fulfilling its duties in terms of legislation, supervision and decision-making for the country’s most important issues.

For his part, chairman Heng Samrin shared Mr Trong’s view, saying both Cambodia and Vietnam have great potential for boosting cooperation in various areas.

He spoke highly of the results of the implementation of cooperative agreements between the two governments, as well as their coordination within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN), the Mekong River Commission, the Greater Mekong Sub-region and the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia development triangle.

He said that the two legislative bodies should increase the exchange of visits to learn from their experience, actively participate in and support each other at international forums, and oversee their governments in implementing the signed agreements.

According to the Cambodian chief legislator, the two countries should make a greater effort to complete border demarcation and landmark planting by mid 2012 as scheduled.

After the talks, Mr Trong and Mr Heng Samrin briefed the media on the result of their talks at a joint press briefing.

Later, Mr Heng Samrin was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will do their utmost to promote the friendship and cooperation with Cambodia in the interests of the two nations.

He welcomed the result of talks between the two NA chairmen, which he said will make a practical contribution to bringing bilateral relations to new heights.

(Source: VOV)