General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attends the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Monument

According to the special correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency, continuing the State visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the morning of July 22, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Samdech Kong Som Ol cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Monument in Preah Sihanouk province.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum attended the inauguration ceremony of the Monument.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated: Vietnam and Cambodia are two close and friendly neighboring countries, with mountains and rivers connected by a strip, and the people of the two countries drink the same water from the Mekong River. Through many historical periods, the fates of the two countries have always been closely linked, the geographical proximity and historical attachment and similarity have always made the people of the two countries understand, sympathize and share, and at the same time are favorable conditions to strengthen the relationship between the two countries in the new situation. Vietnam has a saying: "When eating the fruit, remember the person who planted the tree".

The inauguration of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Monument on the sacred land named after King Norodom Sihanouk is the gratitude of the Party, State, people and army of the two countries to the heroic martyrs, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and officers and soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Army who sacrificed for the independence, freedom of the country and the happiness of the people. History is never forgotten and no one is forgotten. Eternal glory belongs to the outstanding sons who fell for the Fatherland of both nations.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Monument.

The General Secretary emphasized that over the past 50 years, since the two countries established diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967), the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship has overcome many challenges and achieved comprehensive, great and important achievements in the cause of fighting against the common enemy, gaining national independence, overthrowing the genocidal regime, reviving and developing the country.

Those achievements stem from the close solidarity, sincere, pure, great, timely and effective support and assistance between the two countries and peoples and have become sacred symbols, invaluable common assets of the two countries and peoples, and a strong foundation and driving force for the cause of protecting peace, stability, construction and development of each country that today's generation needs to preserve, cultivate and pass on to future generations.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum and delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument.

In particular, since the 90s of the last century, the relationship between the two countries has developed strongly, profoundly changing its appearance and being elevated to a relationship of "good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability", on the basis of the principles of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, not using force or threatening to use force, not allowing any political or military force to use one country's territory against the other, equal cooperation, mutual benefit, and resolving issues arising between the two countries by peaceful means.

The General Secretary once again affirmed: Despite changes in the world and regional situation, Vietnam always attaches importance to and will do its utmost, together with Cambodia, to preserve and foster the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship to be forever green and everlasting, meeting the aspirations and noble interests of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

The General Secretary emphasized: Like the Cambodian people and peoples around the world, the greatest wish of the Vietnamese people is peace, stability, cooperation and development; to successfully carry out the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country, for the goal of "A rich people, a strong country, democracy, equality and civilization".

Every victory of the Vietnamese people in the past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as the great, comprehensive, and historically significant achievements in the cause of renovation, construction, and protection of the Fatherland today, cannot be separated from the important support and assistance of international friends, especially from neighboring countries sharing the same border, including the brotherly Kingdom of Cambodia.

On behalf of the Party, State, people and army of Vietnam, the General Secretary once again expressed his deep gratitude for the noble sentiments, valuable support and assistance that generations of leaders, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Government, the people and the army of Cambodia have given to Vietnam up to now.

The General Secretary stated that the solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia are among the factors that create the strength of the two countries, and are a solid guarantee for future generations of the two peoples to live in peace and happiness; at the same time, he firmly believes that, with the determination and efforts of the two countries and peoples, no force can break the close relationship between the two countries and peoples.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President of the Senate, Vice President of the Cambodian People's Party, Honorary Presidium member of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of the Cambodian Motherland, Samdech Say Chhum, stated: During the struggle against the Pol Pot genocidal regime, many male and female soldiers and Cambodian patriots, along with many Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, sacrificed their lives.

In memory of the enormous and invaluable sacrifices of soldiers from both countries in the struggle to overthrow the Pol Pot genocidal regime, since the 1980s, the two countries have cooperated to build the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Monument in the capital Phnom Penh and 16 provinces in Cambodia.

Implementing the agreement between the two countries' senior leaders, 12/17 Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Monuments have been and are being renovated and built, including the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Monument in Preah Sihanouk province which was inaugurated today.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum with delegates and students at the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument.

On behalf of the Party, State, Front and people of Cambodia, President of the Senate Samdech Say Chhum once again expressed his most sincere and deepest gratitude, and forever remembered and could never forget the great contributions of the Party, State, Front, army and people of Vietnam who sacrificed everything to liberate and save the Fatherland and people of Cambodia from the disaster of the brutal genocidal regime, contributing to the process of seeking peace and justice for Cambodia.

Senate President Samdech Say Chhum emphasized: Cambodia-Vietnam relations have existed for a long time and have continuously grown, especially during the period when the two countries had peace, stability and development.

The bilateral relations have achieved results in all fields, from politics to economics, society, tourism, culture, science and technology; trade relations have continuously increased; the solution to the border issue has made strong progress, especially the land border has been almost completely resolved. These factors have created a good atmosphere for maintaining peace and stability, accelerating economic development, improving the lives and reducing poverty of the people of the two countries.

On this occasion, Senate President Samdech Say Chhum expressed his deep gratitude to the Party, State, Fatherland Front and people of Vietnam for their material and spiritual assistance and support for the construction and development of Cambodia, including assistance in the fields of education, human resource development, infrastructure development, social work and cooperation in energy and tourism.

Senate President Samdech Say Chhum sincerely thanked the Party, State, Government, Front and people of Vietnam for sending her husband, wife and children to join the Front for the Liberation of Cambodia from the Pol Pot genocidal regime, achieving glorious victory on January 7, 1979. This is an unforgettable historical truth. “Without December 2 and the victory day of January 7, we would not have what we have today.”

Governor of Preah Sihanouk province, Mr. Yun Min stated: The Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Monument in Preah Sihanouk province was built to express gratitude for the sacrifices of Cambodian martyrs and Vietnamese volunteer martyrs for the cause of liberating the country and the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocide regime; at the same time, affirming the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia: "Our people still remember and are grateful to the Cambodian and Vietnamese comrades who sacrificed for the cause of liberating our nation and our Fatherland. We will never forget the courage and love of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for the Cambodian people."./.

According to VNA