The King of Cambodia held a State Banquet to welcome the General Secretary.

On the evening of July 20, King Norodom Sihamoni held a State banquet to welcome General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to a State visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

At the State Banquet, King Norodom Sihamoni gave a welcome speech and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong gave a reply speech.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni welcomes General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Photo: VNA

Respectfully introducing the response speech of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:

“Your Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni,

Dear Leaders of the Senate, National Assembly and Royal Government of Cambodia,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are deeply moved by the noble and warm sentiments and loving words of King Norodom Sihamoni about the country and people of Vietnam, about the good neighborly relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation between the two countries and the two peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia.

On behalf of the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation and on my own behalf, I sincerely thank His Majesty the King, the leaders of the Senate, the National Assembly, the Government and the people of Cambodia for giving me and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation the most respectful, warm welcome, full of friendship and close neighborly affection.

I was invited by His Majesty the King to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. 50 years ago, in the context of the Vietnamese people's resistance war against the US entering the most difficult and fierce period, Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia officially established diplomatic relations. This was an important political event, creating a solid foundation for the development of a sustainable and long-term relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Returning to the Kingdom of Cambodia this time, I and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation have witnessed with my own eyes the great achievements and the unceasing development of the beautiful country of Cambodia. We warmly congratulate and firmly believe that, under the wise reign of King Norodom Sihamoni and the wise leadership of the Senate, the National Assembly, and the Royal Government of Cambodia, the brotherly Cambodian people will continue to gain many new, greater, and more comprehensive achievements in the cause of national construction and development, the international position of the Kingdom of Cambodia will be constantly enhanced, continuing to make positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong read the response speech. Photo: VNA

Your Majesty,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past 30 years of renovation, Vietnam has also achieved great and historic achievements in building and defending the Fatherland. With the goal of "rich people, strong country, democracy, equality and civilization", we advocate continuing to comprehensively and synchronously promote the renovation process and consistently implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, striving to soon turn Vietnam into a basically modern industrialized country.

We are always deeply aware that Vietnam's victories in the past struggle for national liberation and reunification as well as its achievements in the cause of innovation, construction and protection of the Fatherland today cannot be separated from the support and assistance of international friends, especially the great and effective support and assistance of the Governments and peoples of neighboring countries, including the brotherly Kingdom of Cambodia.

On this solemn occasion, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, I would like once again to express my deep gratitude for the sincere support and valuable assistance that His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Government and all the Cambodian people have given to Vietnam up to now. We today and future generations of Vietnamese people will never forget that sincere and meaningful assistance.

Your Majesty,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Vietnam and Cambodia are two close neighboring countries with a long-standing traditional friendship. The people of the two countries are close brothers, sharing the good times and the bad times. The benevolent nature has created the Mekong River that flows through the two countries, irrigating the vast fields along both banks, nurturing the people, bringing a prosperous life to the people of Cambodia and Vietnam. The Mekong River has been witnessing the increasingly strong friendship and solidarity between the people of the two countries. Today, we are extremely pleased with the good results of the talks and meetings between me and the King and the Cambodian leaders.

In the spirit of solidarity, friendship, understanding and mutual respect, the two sides reached a high consensus on all issues of mutual concern; expressed joy and pride in the 50-year Vietnam-Cambodia neighborly and friendly relationship, which has overcome challenges and achieved comprehensive, great and important results in line with the motto "Good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability." The past 50 years are also a long enough time to prove that Vietnam-Cambodia have a close, inseparable relationship, relying on each other, always standing side by side, sharing joys and sorrows in the struggle against the common enemy for national independence, overthrowing the genocidal regime, and developing the country.

That achievement has become a sacred symbol, a priceless common asset of the two countries that today's and future generations have the responsibility to protect, preserve and develop, and that is not only our responsibility for the history of the two countries and two peoples but also for the sustainable development and bright future of Cambodia and Vietnam. As King Norodom Sihamoni affirmed during his visit to Vietnam in September 2012, "Cambodia and Vietnam are two inseparable countries, the precious relationship between the two countries needs to be promoted in the period of national construction and development of each country."

We deeply believe that, with the important achievements that the people of the two countries have attained in the development cause of each country and in the good and effective cooperation between the two countries in recent times, with the high-level agreements reached during my state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia this time and the joint efforts of both sides, the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship, facing great advantages, will certainly develop to new heights, meeting the earnest aspirations and practical interests of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

In this solemn atmosphere of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, I would like to propose that you raise your glasses:

- Wishing Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk good health and longevity!

- Wishing King Norodom Sihamoni good health, longevity, and success in his especially noble position!

- Wishing the leaders of the Senate, the National Assembly, the Royal Government and you good health, happiness and success!

- Wishing the Kingdom of Cambodia prosperity and the Cambodian people prosperity and happiness!

- May the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia be forever green and sustainable!

According to Vietnamnet.vn