PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged Vietnam to further strengthen economic ties with Cambodia to promote political ties between the two countries.

Addressing Mr. Le Hoai Trung, member of Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Monday morning, 22 August, the Prime Minister relayed his thanks to Vietnam for continually supporting Cambodia.

However, he noted that "economic relations support political relations," and in this regard, the Prime Minister urged Vietnam to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries, especially by transforming the area of a former battlefield along the border into a zone of peace, development and cooperation.

Le Hoai Trung informed Prime Minister Hun Sen that his current visit to Cambodia is to enhance the relationship and unity between the Party, State and people of the two countries.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Hun Sen also congratulated Vietnam on its success in fighting Covid-19.

Cambodia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations 55 years ago in 1967. Relations between the two countries were enhanced following Cambodia's liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime, growing into a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between the two governments, who regard each other as friends, relatives and good neighbors.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam ranks first among ASEAN countries in terms of direct investments made in Cambodia, with trade between the two countries exceeding US $9 billion in 2021.

^{PHOTO: KOK KY}