Part 4: Towards a bright future

A priceless common asset of the two peoples

Since Cambodia’s revolutionary and armed forces were strong and capable enough to defend the country, Vietnam withdrew its volunteer troops and advisors in 1989 under the agreement between the two parties and states, successfully fulfilling the glorious international mission in the neighboring country. After the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991 and the General Election in 1993, the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship was lifted to a new stage in accordance with the actual situation in each country.

With the motto of “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability,” Vietnam-Cambodia relations have been continuously consolidated and extensively developed in all fields, of which defense cooperation is an important pillar.

The first Vietnam – Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange held in May 2022 vividly manifested the contribution of defense cooperation to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, promoting friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and militaries, foiling hostile forces' plots to undermine the solidarity and close ties between Vietnam and Cambodia. During the event, a series of activities were held. The two sides worked together to provide free health check-ups and treatment for thousands of Vietnamese and Cambodian people in border areas, inaugurated the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Military-Civilian Medical Center, granted scholarships to students in difficult circumstances and donated breeding cows to needy households living along the shared borderline.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang, since Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on June 24, 1967, despite their historical upheavals, the two countries have over the past 55 years stood side by side and given each other valuable and sincere support for the independence, prosperity and development of each country.

The diplomat added that through ups and downs in the history, the relationship between the two countries has been tested, tempered and developed intensively, practically and effectively in all fields, becoming an invaluable common asset of the two peoples. According to the diplomat, the achievements of Vietnam-Cambodia relations over the past more than five decades are not only the victory of the struggle for the national liberation in each country, but also the two countries' development in all fields for the benefits of the two peoples in line with the motto “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability.” Those achievements have actively contributed to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and in the world.

Undertaking duty in Vietnam in the context that the world and the region are facing unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth affirmed that the difficult time has proved the spirit of sharing between the two nations. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, Vietnam and Cambodia have always given both spiritual and material support to each other. Thanks to the assistance, the two countries have successfully controlled the epidemic. “The solidarity for the common benefits of the two peoples during the past 55 years has brought about the proud results,” said Ambassador Chay Navuth.

Eternal relationship

2022 marks 55 years since Vietnam and Cambodia established their diplomatic relationship. Leaders of the two countries have chosen the year as the "Vietnam – Cambodia, Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Year." According Ambassadors Nguyen Huy Tang and Chay Navuth, the decision is to help people of the two countries and international friends understand more about the significance and importance of the bilateral friendship and solidarity which have been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. It is also to arouse the responsibility of the Vietnamese and Cambodian people, especially the young, to further foster the fine relationship for the bright future of the two nations.

Although the international and regional situations are expected to continue to develop complicatedly and unpredictably, the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship is evaluated to have great potential to develop to a new height as the two countries have a rich history of solidarity, friendship, cooperation, and mutual impartial assistance, especially their achievements over the past 55 years.

Kin Phea, Director General of International Relations Institute of Cambodia, said that the Vietnam – Cambodia relationship, which has been on the right direction, will be more comprehensive and strategic in the next decade. Meanwhile, Emeritus Professor Carl Thayer from the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defense Force Academy sees that "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability" will continue to be orientation for the development of the bilateral relationship in the future.

Sharing the same view with the two experts, Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang said that Vietnam-Cambodia relations will last forever, and no hostile forces can destroy the solidarity between the two countries and two peoples. With set orientations for cooperation in the new era, together with the determination of the two countries' leaders and people and their activeness, pro-activeness, flexibility, and creativeness, the diplomat believed that the Vietnam-Cambodia relations will develop to a new height for the prosperity of each country, the prosperous and happy life of their people, and peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Translated by Tran Hoai