Cambodia and Vietnam talk trade
Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has begun a visit to Cambodia - the first such visit since a controversial border agreement was signed in October.
The deal led to protests from activists in Cambodia who accused Prime Minister Hun Sen of giving away land to the country's more powerful neighbour.
During the two-day visit, the two sides are expected to sign trade and other agreements.
Mr Khai is expected to meet Hun Sen and King Norodom Sihamoni, among others.
"This visit is to strengthen the bond of friendship and co-operation between the two countries," Cambodia Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters at the airport.
After a border pact was signed between the two nations last October, a number of critics accused Hun Sen of ceding Cambodian land to Vietnam.
Hun Sen sued them for defamation, but dropped the lawsuits earlier this year after strong international condemnation.
BBC News - March 6, 2006.
Cambodia, Vietnam sign agreements to strengthen friendship
Cambodia and Vietnam on Monday signed four documents aimed at further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The four documents were signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai after their two-hour long meeting.
The four documents included the agreement on Vietnam's Assistance to Produce Border Markers for Cambodia; the Agreement on Border Health Quarantine; the Cooperation Plan on Information and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Initial Implementation of the Agreement for the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Goods and People at the Bavet-Moc Bai Border Crossing Point.
The two leaders underscored the importance of these agreements in providing substantial benefits to businesses and travelers and further expanding bilateral economic linkages.
Phan Van Khai said that his government attaches importance to develop the friendly relations between the two countries and hoping to strengthen the cooperation on various fields including electric supply, agriculture, health, culture and education.
Phan Van Khai said that with the increase of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, he hope the bilateral trade in 2006 will reach to 1,000 million U.S. dollars.
Phan Van Khai arrived here on Monday morning to pay a two-day official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
Phan Van Khai was warmly greeted at the Phnom Penh International Airport by Prime Minister Hun Sen, and thousands of students lined the streets of Phnom Penh waving Cambodian and Vietnamese flags. Some diplomats also attended the welcoming ceremony.
During the visit, Phan Van Khai will also pay a courtesy call to King Norodom Sihamoni and meet with Senate President Chea Sim, acting Chairman of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, diplomatic sources said.
Xinhua - March 6, 2006.
|