Deputy PM meets top Cambodian, Thai diplomats on sidelines of Mekong–Lancang Foreign Ministers' Meeting

These meetings were held on the sidelines of the 10th Mekong–Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

At the meeting with the Cambodian official, Bui reiterated that Viet Nam always treasures cooperation with neighboring countries and prioritizes fostering trustworthy and close relationship with Cambodia.

He proposed that Cambodia continue to create favorable conditions for people of Vietnamese origin to live and work legally and stably in the country, grant Cambodian citizenship to those who are eligible, and facilitate Vietnamese enterprises in investing effectively in the Cambodian market, thereby making positive contributions to the country's prosperity and the bilateral relations.

Bui spoke highly of the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister's sharing on recent developments such as the ceasefire agreement reached by Cambodia and Thailand on July 28 and the Extraordinary Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting held on July 7.

The Vietnamese official welcomed the positive achievements between Thailand and Cambodia, calling on both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from the use of force, and work towards rebuilding trust and promoting dialogue to seek a lasting peaceful solution on the basis of the fundamental principles of international law, while upholding ASEAN's central role for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperous development.

Sokhonn said Cambodia attaches importance to the friendly neighborly relations and comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam.

Economic cooperation stands out as a highlight, with trade turnover growing strongly, reaching about US$7 billion in the first six half of this year, he noted.

The two officials vowed to work closely to successfully organize important diplomatic activities from now until the end of 2025, particularly the high-level Cambodian delegation led by President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Hun Sen to Ha Noi to attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam's National Day.

They pledged to make effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms, while further promoting economic connectivity, including transport infrastructure links and the border gate system.

The two sides highlighted the outcomes of the phone conversation between General Secretary To Lam and Hun Sen on August 14, affirming their close cooperation and commitment to effectively implementing the directions agreed upon by their top leaders, including the successful organization of the 21st meeting of the Viet Nam–Cambodia Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and the 13th conference on cooperation and development between border provinces in 2025.

During his meeting with Thai diplomat, Bui welcomed the outcomes achieved between Thailand and Cambodia at the recent extraordinary meeting held in Malaysia on August 7.

He urged both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from the use of force, and resolve differences in a peaceful and appropriate manner, rebuild trust soon and promote dialogue on the basis of the fundamental principles of international law, while upholding ASEAN's central role.

The diplomat affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to its relations with both Thailand and Cambodia, and stands ready to play an active role in strengthening ASEAN's solidarity and centrality for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperous development.

Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Minister asserted that Thailand would encourage its major enterprises, especially in the fields of science and technology, to expand cooperation with Viet Nam.

The two sides expressed their delight at the strong and profound development of the Viet Nam–Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and agreed to work together to effectively and substantively implement key areas of cooperation, including the promotion of high-level visits, the organization of the 6th meeting of the Viet Nam–Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), and formulation of an action program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2026–2030 period.

They vowed to further strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties, and emphasized the importance of effectively speeding up the implementation of the "Three Connectivity" strategy.

They also agreed to expedite the establishment of a joint working group to discuss concrete plans for carrying out this strategy.

The two officials vowed to encourage and boost cooperation in other emerging areas such as renewable energy and just energy transition, considering these as fields with great potential and opportunities that will bring benefits to their peoples as well as actively review existing agreements and update them to suit the new context, including the labor cooperation agreement.

At the meeting with Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress, Bui stressed the importance of boosting the balanced and sustainable development of trade, investment, and tourism cooperation, and striving for US$5 billion in trade between Yunnan and Vietnamese localities in the near future.

He expressed his hope that the two sides will work together to improve customs clearance efficiency at border gates, and make the Lao Cai (Viet Nam)-Hekou (China) international railway border gate an official customs clearance point for agricultural products and fresh fruits.

The Vietnamese official also urged Yunnan to continue close coordination with Vietnamese localities in border management and protection under the three Viet Nam-China land border documents and related agreements, properly resolve any issues arising, and strengthen cooperation on the sustainable use of the Mekong-Lancang River's water resources to ensure local livelihoods.

For his part, Wang affirmed that Yunnan values its cooperation and friendship with Vietnamese localities and stands ready to work together to implement the common perceptions of the top leaders.

The Chinese official vowed to optimize cooperation mechanisms, and further promote transport connectivity, especially the Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway, to facilitate trade and tourism links./.