Vietnamese MPS, Cambodian MoI boost cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng co-chaired the meeting. The virtual event also saw the presence of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieutenant General Tran Quoc To and Cambodian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam Chay Navuth.

In his opening speech, Minister To Lam emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has left a serious impact on international relations around the globe in both multilateral and bilateral terms, including relations between Cambodia and Vietnam. 

The Vietnamese side also expressed the gratitude to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Cambodia for their timely support of medical supplies for Vietnam to fight the pandemic.

Regarding the cooperation results between the two ministries in 2020 and the first half of 2021, Minister To Lam said that the two sides regularly coordinated to exchange information on international and regional security situations as well as social order and safety in each country. They also coordinated in joint operations to ensure security and safety of important political events in each country as well as supported each other at international and regional forums, Minister Lam added.

Regarding the cooperation in maintaining social order and safety, the two sides proactively worked out plans to fight crimes, especially in provinces along the borderline between the two countries. 

Particularly, the police forces of the two sides coordinated in combating smuggling and illegal transportation of petroleum, tobacco, and illegal narcotics across the Vietnam - Cambodia border. The two sides also strengthened the exchange of delegations, personnel training, logistical and technological assistance between the police forces of border provinces.

Speaking at the conference, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng spoke highly of Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and congratulated the Vietnam Communist Party for its successful 13th National Congress.

To conclude the conference, Minister To Lam suggested some orientations for the bilateral cooperation in the coming time. According to him, the two sides should further their relationship of "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability" and strengthen mutual support on international and ASEAN forums.

At the end of the event, Minister Lam and his counterpart signed a document supplementing the cooperation contents to the 2020 Cooperation Plan between the Vietnamese MPS and the Cambodian MoI.