Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and General Tia Banh, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, have signed a protocol and a cooperation plan between the two defence ministries for this year.

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and General Tia Banh, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister during the signing ceremony.

At their recent talks in Ho Chi Minh City, the two sides informed each other about the situation regarding politics, economics, social affairs, defence and security in their respective country in recent times, and reviewed the results of defence cooperation and mutual assistance.

General Thanh thanked the Cambodian Government and Defence Ministry for their cooperation and assistance, especially in searching and gathering remains of voluntary Vietnamese soldiers who fell down in Cambodia during the wartime.

He affirmed the Viet Nam People's Army’s willingness to reinforce solidarity and increase support for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in the national construction and protection process.

For his part, General Tia Banh said the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces always treasures the sound neighbourliness and friendship with Viet Nam, and will do their best to maintain and further develop this relationship.

Both sides highlighted the effective defence cooperation as one the pillars of bilateral relations, noting that increased cooperation in personnel training, border protection and sea joint patrol has facilitated economic development in the two countries’ border areas as well as fishermen’s lives.

The two ministers agreed to continue bolstering ties in a comprehensive manner by intensifying the exchange of delegations, education and training, searching and repatriation of remains of voluntary Vietnamese soldiers.