Hanoi (VNA) - The sixth Vietnam - Cambodia Defence Policy Dialogue washeld on April 19 at the border post of Moc Bai International Border Gate in thesouthern province of Tay Ninh.

It was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy DefenceMinister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Secretary of State ofthe Cambodian Ministry of National Defene General Neang Phat.

Chien highlighted the event was held in thecontext that the two countries successfully organised a series of activitieswithin the “Vietnam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year 2022”, while Neang Phat emphasised this dialogue was animportant evidence of the close relationship between the two countries and in linewith the regional and international situations that will help consolidate thetraditional bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

At the dialogue, the two sides exchanged views on regionaland international situations of mutual concern and agreed that political andsecurity situations in the world and some regions have witnessed rapid,complicated, and unpredictable developments. They affirmed that ASEAN-ledmechanisms have continued to prove their central role in the region,contributing to fostering cooperation among member countries and between themand their partners for regional peace and stability.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed thatrelevant parties should abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties inthe East Sea (DOC) and step up the negotiations towards the early formulationof a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in a substantive and effectivemanner and in line with international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They affirmed that the bilateral defence cooperation hasobtained positive and outstanding results. In the Friendship Year 2022, they cooperatedto effectively carry out around 30 events.

Over the past time, the border guards of the twocountries have effectively brought into full play the exchange and twinningmechanisms and strengthened coordination in patrolling and protecting the sharedborderline and border markers and effectively combating cross-border crimes.

The search, collection, and repatriation of remains ofVietnamese volunteers and experts who laid down their lives while performinginternational duties in Cambodia has been implemented in accordance with the2023 plan. Cooperation in delegation exchange and training has continued to receivedue attention.

For the coming time, the two sides agreed to continue fosteringdelegation exchanges and cooperation in training; effectively maintain their informationexchange mechanism; promote cooperation between military regions, services, andborder guards through diverse practical forms; strengthen disseminationand education about the history and significance of the traditional friendshipof the two states, peoples, and militaries; and accelerate the search, collection,and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts fell down in Cambodia.

They also affirmed that they will show support to each otherat multilateral forums in the region and the world, especially ASEAN-ledmechanisms.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese officer suggested theCambodian Defence Ministry continue to care for and support the Vietnamesecommunity in Cambodia and facilitate the operation of Vietnamese militarybusinesses to contribute to the development of the two countries./.