Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has successfully concluded his official visit to Cambodia and attendance at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related meetings at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The trip helped cement good neighbourliness, time-honoured friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, while also enhancing unity, solidarity and self-strengthening, promoting the central role of ASEAN.
Promoting Vietnam-Cambodia comprehensive cooperation
Within the framework of the official visit to Cambodia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met and spoke with Cambodian leaders in Phnom Penh. In an atmosphere of friendship, understanding and mutual trust, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodia leaders briefed each other on the current situation of each country, discussed at length the fields of bilateral cooperation to further promote the relationship between the two countries on the principle of good neighbourliness, time-honoured friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation.
The cultivation and incessant cementing of the good neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia is an objective requirement for both countries.
During the talks and meetings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodia leaders expressed satisfaction at the effective development of the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship and comprehensive cooperation in recent years, helping to bring substantive benefits to both countries’ people. Overcoming the challenges posed by COVID-19, the political relationship between the two countries has been continuously strengthened through high-level exchanges in all channels and frequent discussions in various forms, while effectively promoting bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
The two countries’ leaders spoke highly of the successful organisation of many activities in the Vietnam-Cambodia, Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Year, marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries (June 24, 1967-2022). These activities continued to cement and cultivate good neighbourliness and the time-honoured friendship between the two countries’ people.
The visit is highly significant in the Cambodia-Vietnam, Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties, helping to promote the bilateral relationship, to grow even stronger in the future.
On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit, the two sides issued a joint statement affirming the resolve to cement and further develop the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship, further deepen cooperation more substantively and effectively, and regarding it as an objective requirement for both countries.
Accordingly, the two sides are determined to further strengthen economic cooperation, and support each other in building an independent and self-reliant economy, while ensuring extensive and effective international integration. The two sides underlined the need to strengthen the connection between the two economies in terms of hard infrastructure, as well as in terms of institutions and policies, including promoting the early completion of a plan on connecting the economies of Vietnam and Cambodia until 2030.
Encouraged by the recent robust growth in trade value between the two countries, with greater balance and complementarity, both sides expressed their commitment to further promoting and facilitating bilateral trade, particularly border trade. The two sides also pledged to constantly promote the linkage of supply chains and production between the two countries, through the signing and implementation of agreements between both governments.
Agreeing to strengthen cooperation in defence and security, the two sides affirmed to work closely to effectively implement the existing mechanisms on defence and security cooperation, to enhance coordination in maintaining political stability, security, social order and safety in each country, as well as improve the effectiveness of border management and protection.
Leaders of the two countries expressed satisfaction with the completion of the demarcation and marker planting works of approximately 84% of the land boundary and commended ongoing efforts of the Cambodia – Vietnam, Vietnam – Cambodia Joint Border Commission (JBC), to find mutually acceptable solutions to the 16% of remaining works, following all border treaties concluded between the two countries, to build a land boundary of peace, stability and cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam.
The two sides also agreed to promote and improve the effectiveness of cooperation in other important areas, such as legal and judicial affairs, labour and social affairs, science and technology, information and communications, development of renewable energy resources, smart agriculture, education and training, public health, cultural exchange, tourism, sports, transportation, banking and finance, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and maritime law enforcement, among others.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.
Within the framework of the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen witnessed the signing ceremony of several bilateral cooperation documents. On this occasion, enterprises of the two countries also signed several business contracts and cooperation agreements.
11 COOPERATION DOCUMENTS SIGNED
- Memorandum of Understanding on Type and Quantity of Commercial Motor Vehicle for implementation of the Agreement and Protocol on Road Transportation.
- Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture cooperation.
- Border Trade Agreement.
- Agreement on Border Trade. Joint Undertaking on administrative cooperation in the framework of article 56(1)(a) of the commission delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 of 28 July 2015, supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards detailed rules concerning certain provisions of the Union Customs code for bicycle accessories and parts.
- Joint Undertaking on administrative cooperation, according to section 18(3) (B) of the Customs (Origin of chargeable goods: Trade preference scheme) (EU EXIT) regulation 2020.
- Memorandum of Understanding on radio and television cooperation term 2022 - 2025.
- Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation in the field of Post, Telecommunications, ICT and Digital transformation.
- Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation, between the Ministry of Cult and Religion of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Committee for Ethnic Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
- Memorandum of Understanding concerning cooperation in the field of labour.
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Area of Financial Innovations and Payment Systems.
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Viettel (Cambodia) PTE. LTD.
The two sides agreed to continue enhancing the close and effective cooperation and collaboration, within the multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, ASEAN, and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), to address global and regional challenges, for the sake of peace, stability, sustainable development and prosperity in the region and the world.
President of Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin
The two sides also agreed to closely coordinate in sub-regional fora, including Mekong cooperation mechanisms to ensure the effective, inclusive and sustainable development, management, utilization and conservation of the Mekong water resources and related resources.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reiterated Vietnam's readiness to support Cambodia and Lao PDR, to promote the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV DTA) cooperation and step up the implementation of the Action Plan for CLV Economic Connectivity up to 2030, to jointly build integrated, sustainable and prosperous CLV economies, contributing to the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
ENHANCING SELF-RESILIENCE AND PROMOTING THE CENTRAL ROLE OF ASEAN
The 40th and 41st ASEAN summits and related summits took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, attracting the participation of leaders of ASEAN countries, ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and many representatives of ASEAN’s partners and international organisations. Leading the Vietnamese delegation to the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the summits, during which he shared Vietnam's views, stances, and suggestions on strengthening solidarity, unity and centrality of ASEAN, enhancing cooperation between the Association and its partners, to consolidate regional linkage.
REALISING THE VISION OF REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
In his speech at the opening ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN summits and related summits, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen highlighted that 2022 marked the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN.
He stressed that ASEAN has undergone a long journey of regional connectivity and promoted cohesion among its members, for the common goal of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Plenary session of the 40th ASEAN Summit.
Plenary session of the 40th ASEAN Summit.
At the 40th ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the leaders of ASEAN member states focused on discussing the process of building the ASEAN Community. According to ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, on all three pillars politics-security, economy and socio-culture have achieved many positive results.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ASEAN member countries, attend an interface with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ASEAN member countries, attend an interface with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
Based on the assessment report of the three pillars, the leaders of the member countries adopted a statement on Timor Leste's application for ASEAN membership. Accordingly, the leaders of the countries expressed their support in principle, the admission of Timor Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN, granting observer status to Timor Leste and assigning the ASEAN Coordinating Council to develop a roadmap for the country's accession to submit to the 42nd ASEAN Summit, for making consideration and decision.
Welcoming efforts to build the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision, member countries emphasised the significance and orientations of documents regarding ASEAN cooperation and integration in the coming decade. The countries agreed that the Vision needs to be inherited, continued and updated, ensuring the role and maintaining the relevance of ASEAN, in the face of complicated and unpredictable movements of the regional and international situation.
To set out policy directions to promote cooperation, equitable development, seamless connectivity and maintain ASEAN's central role in the regional structure, the ASEAN leaders adopted many important statements at the Conference.
STATEMENTS ADOPTED AT THE 40th ASEAN SUMMIT
- ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together”
- ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the 55th Anniversary of ASEAN
- ASEAN Leaders' Statement on ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda.
- ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Application of Timor-Leste for ASEAN Membership
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ASEAN-UN Summit.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ASEAN-UN Summit.
TOGETHER WITH PARTNERS TO RESPOND TO CHALLENGES
The 41st ASEAN summit focused on the bloc’s external relations, regional architecture, and regional and international issues of common concern.
In the context of the rapidly changing and unpredictable world and regional situation, countries agreed that ASEAN needs to strengthen solidarity and self-reliance, take an overarching approach and strategic vision, responsibly contribute to the settlement of emerging challenges, and promote sustainable recovery and inclusive growth for the sake of people’s lives and interest. In terms of ASEAN’s external relations, the leaders applauded the substantive strides in the bloc’s cooperation with partners.
At ASEAN Summits with partners, leaders of ASEAN countries and partners reviewed and set out development orientations for their relations. Accordingly, the partners commit to continue assisting the bloc in promoting dialogue, and cooperation and effectively responding to common challenges and promoting the building of an open, inclusive, and transparent regional architecture, that upholds international law, supporting ASEAN’s centrality.
Head of delegations of ASEAN countries and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pose for a photo at the 25th ASEAN-China Summit
Head of delegations of ASEAN countries and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pose for a photo at the 25th ASEAN-China Summit
Respecting ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture, looking forward to working with ASEAN to effectively implement the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, continuing to commit to supporting ASEAN in building its Community and promoting its role in the regional and international forums.
The presence of partners at these meetings, as well as their desire to strengthen and upgrade relations with ASEAN confirms partners’ appreciation of the Association. In 2021, ASEAN and China and ASEAN and Australia elevated their relationship to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
At the 10th ASEAN-US Summit and the 19th ASEAN-India Summit, ASEAN and the US and India adopted the Declaration on establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, creating a driving force for expanded and dynamic cooperation between the Association and these two countries.
At the 45th ASEAN-Canada Summit, the Canadian leader also expressed his wish to upgrade ASEAN-Canada relations to a Strategic Partnership.
Heads of the ASEAN delegation and US President Joe Biden pose for a photo at the 10th ASEAN-US Summit
Heads of the ASEAN delegation and US President Joe Biden pose for a photo at the 10th ASEAN-US Summit
The US wishes to work closely with ASEAN to promote the newly established ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new era in bilateral relations and joining hands with ASEAN to effectively cope with common regional and global challenges.
At the meetings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made proposals on cooperation between ASEAN and partners in several fields. Amid increasingly complex and unpredictable changes in the region and the world, the Prime Minister asked partners to work closely to promote dialogue, cooperation, trust-building, and responsible contributions to the efforts to respond to regional security challenges.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also emphasised the benefits brought by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), saying that ASEAN and its partners need to implement RCEP more effectively, contributing to promoting trade liberalisation and maintaining stable supply and production chains. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also said that ASEAN and its partners need to coordinate to ensure recovery towards sustainable development, including expanding cooperation in green development, environmental protection, and climate change response.
New areas of cooperation, such as energy transformation, digital transformation, and digital economy, were also proposed by the Prime Minister at the meetings, to lift the level of relations between ASEAN and its partners in the future. In addition, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ASEAN and its partners to promote efforts to develop the Mekong sub-region, through cooperation frameworks such as Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, Mekong-Australia Partnership, and others, to promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth throughout the region.
Said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
Discussing regional and international situations at the summits, PM Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of member countries and partners, affirmed the importance of maintaining and ensuring a peaceful and secure environment and stability in the region, including the East Sea/South China Sea.
Accordingly, ASEAN asked its partners to support ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea issue, as well as efforts to build an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), towards building the East Sea into a sea of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development. To reaffirm the significance and importance of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to peace, security and stability in the East Sea, the leaders of ASEAN countries and China adopted the Declaration the Statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of the DOC at the 25th ASEAN-China Summit.
On the occasion of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with leaders of many member countries, as well as partners of the Association and regional and international organisations, to discuss their cooperation in several fields.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the leaders highly appreciated the close coordination between the two sides within multilateral frameworks, especially within ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms. They also agreed to strengthen coordination to consolidate the solidarity among ASEAN and its central role in handling emerging global challenges.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip was a great success, contributing to the development of Vietnam-Cambodia relations more substantively and bringing practical benefits to both peoples. Proposals and initiatives of the Vietnamese delegation, led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the summits, have created motivation for cooperation among ASEAN member countries, as well as between the Association and its partners, making great contributions to peace, stability and the development of the “ASEAN family” and the world.
Published: November 13, 2022
Production Manager: CHU HONG THANG
Content: SON NINH – MINH ANH
Translation: NDO
Design: DIEU THU – NGOC BICH - PHAN ANH
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