Phnom penh: The upcoming inauguration of the Meun Chey International Border Gate in early December will underscore the strengthening political and economic relationship between Cambodia and Vietnam, Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen announced on Friday.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the remarks were made during a courtesy call by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Bui Thanh Son at the Senate Palace this morning, as reported by Senate spokesperson H.E. Chea Thyrith.
Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, Samdech Techo Hun Sen praised the consistent progress in bilateral relations across government, legislative, and party-to-party frameworks. He also extended his sympathy to Vietnam following recent natural disasters.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Bui Thanh Son conveyed appreciation for the audience and Cambodia’s condolences, along with warm greetings from the Vietnamese leadership.
The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister commended the state of Cambodia-Vietnam relations, noting the expansion of cooperation, particularly the increasingly strong party-to-party ties. He highlighted significant growth in bilateral trade, which surpassed US$9 billion in the first nine months of the year and is projected to continue its upward trajectory.
He attributed this robust trade growth, in part, to effective security cooperation along the shared border, stressing joint efforts to combat cross-border crime and ensure stability for the mutual benefit of both countries, especially border communities. He specifically praised the improved security situation along the Cambodia-Vietnam border, encompassing Cambodia’s eight adjacent provinces.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen fully concurred, emphasising that close coordination has helped transform the border into a peaceful zone, facilitating trade, transport, and people-to-people exchanges. He stressed the necessity of further strengthening infrastructure connectivity to streamline trade, logistics, and broader economic cooperation.
The Cambodian leader welcomed the steady rise in bilateral trade and expressed optimism that both countries would soon achieve their shared goal of increasing two-way trade to US$20 billion, reflecting the aspirations of leaders on both sides.
Samdech Techo concluded by reiterating that the joint inauguration of the Meun Chey International Border Gate in early December will serve as a significant milestone, enhancing the movement of people, goods, and agricultural products while further deepening the political and economic bond between Cambodia and Vietnam.