Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha and his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang have committed to strengthening cooperation to bring prosperity and maintain good relations between the militaries and the peoples of the two neighbouring countries.

The two ministers confirmed their commitment during a bilateral meeting on November 13 in Vietnam. Seiha led a high-ranking delegation from the Cambodian defence ministry on a November 12-14 visit to Vietnam, at the invitation of Van Giang.

“During the bilateral meeting, the two ministers focused on strengthening cooperation between their respective militaries, and to maintain the excellent relations between the two nations and their peoples,” said a November 14 press release from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).

The release added that on November 13, Seiha laid a wreath at the Vietnam Heroes’ Monument, and then another in honour of the late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, in Hanoi.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, described the regular exchange of visits between Cambodia and Vietnam as symbols of the friendly relationship between them, and of their strategic partnership.

“I believe that we should strengthen our defence ties, as we share a border. It is important to build open, honest relationships with any nation with a contiguous border,” he said.