At a reception in Phnom Penh on August 27, King Sihamoni thanked the Vietnamese leaders and people for providing heartfelt support and valuable assistance to Cambodia in the past as well as in its national development at present.

He also thanked them for warmly receiving Father King Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk during their visit to Vietnam in June 2010.

The King expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s tremendous achievements in its Renewal process and its rising profile in the region and the world.

Vietnamese people are reliable friends of Cambodian people, said King Sihamoni.

He affirmed that Cambodia will continue to build up the long-lasting and neighbourly friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

President Triet praised Cambodia’s position in the world and expressed his belief that under the reign of King Sihamoni and the leadership from the Royal Government, Cambodia will obtain greater achievements in national construction for the sake of peace, development and prosperity.

He valued Cambodia’s support to Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and the current process of Renewal. He thanked the King, the government and people of Cambodia for creating conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and study in the country, contributing to its development and to cementing the friendship between the two nations.

Vietnam attaches great importance to and will do its utmost to strengthen the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with Cambodia, said Mr Triet.

Both host and guest agreed that Vietnam and Cambodia should maintain high-level visit exchanges to facilitate the expansion of their multifaceted cooperation. They also acknowledged their governments’ effort in implementing signed agreements effectively.

*** Also on the same day, Mr Triet met separately with Samdech Siowath Chivanmoniral, first vice president of the senate of Cambodia, Ngoun Nhel, acting president of the Cambodian National Assembly, and Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

At the meetings, Mr Triet said Vietnam is always willing to share its experience and co-operate with Cambodia for mutual benefit and will do its best to ensure the fine co-operation between the two countries, will contribute to strengthening ASEAN unity.

In the coming period, he said, the two countries need to strengthen co-operation mechanisms between policy-making and executive bodies, organisations and especially bordering provinces.

Mr Triet suggested the two sides foster ties in specific industries, including national security and defence, trade and commerce, agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, transport, mineral exploitation, oil and gas, education, healthcare, and tourism.

He also said the Royal Government should instruct relevant bodies to promote and complete land border demarcation work by the end of 2010 as agreed.

Leaders of Cambodian Senate, NA and Royal Government expressed their deep gratitude for Vietnam’s support, particularly in saving Cambodia from genocide.

Mr Triet also visited Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong at Wat Ounalom and Great Supreme Patriarch Bou Kry at Wat Botum.