Vietnamese Defence Minister’s Official Visit Strengthens Ties with Cambodia
Phnom Penh, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang concluded an official visit to Cambodia from November 23 to 26, marked by high-level meetings and significant events aimed at bolstering defence cooperation between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
During the visit, General Giang participated in an annual meeting with his Cambodian and Lao counterparts and observed a joint search-and-rescue exercise involving the three countries’ armies. These activities underscore the growing defence collaboration among the nations and their commitment to regional stability.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
In Phnom Penh, General Giang held courtesy meetings with senior Cambodian leaders, including President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Tea Seiha.
During his meeting with Hun Sen on November 26, General Giang reaffirmed Việt Nam’s priority to sustain and deepen its traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia. He praised Cambodia’s development and pledged continued support for the CPP’s leadership.
Hun Sen lauded the visit as a testament to the enduring ties between the two countries and their armies. He emphasized the mutual benefits of Vietnam’s development for Cambodia and Laos, and reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to preserving and nurturing the bilateral relationship.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet, General Giang discussed defence cooperation as a cornerstone of the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship. Hun Manet expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s support during Cambodia’s struggle for liberation and ongoing national development. He committed to fostering closer defence ties and supporting activities such as the repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers.
Enhancing Multilateral Cooperation
The annual trilateral meeting of defence ministers from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos focused on enhancing joint efforts in areas such as border security, crime prevention, and regional stability.
General Giang and General Tea Seiha reviewed the implementation of the Vietnam-Cambodia Defence Cooperation Protocol (2020-2024) and signed a new protocol for 2025-2029, along with a 2025 cooperation plan. The two sides pledged to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen border management, and combat transnational crimes, while also improving human resource training and fostering regional solidarity within ASEAN.
Economic and Symbolic Contributions
During the visit, General Giang presented a second-class Labour Order to Metfone, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s Viettel Group, in recognition of its 15 years of contributions to Cambodia’s socio-economic development. Metfone has become a symbol of the strong economic ties and friendship between the two nations.
He also visited MB Cambodia Bank, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, which has played a pivotal role in defence cooperation.
The Vietnamese delegation paid tribute at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument in Phnom Penh and visited the Win-Win Memorial Monument, symbolizing the solidarity and shared history of the two nations.
Future Vision
The visit, marked by strategic agreements and symbolic gestures, reinforced defence cooperation as a key pillar of Vietnam-Cambodia relations. It also highlighted the broader trilateral collaboration with Laos, contributing to regional peace, stability, and the central role of ASEAN in addressing shared challenges.
