In a joint statement released on 6/2 during General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Cambodia, Vietnam and Cambodia expressed satisfaction with the positive development of bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides reaffirmed their consistent view of always attaching special importance to the good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia. They pledged mutual support and assistance for development, peace, stability, and prosperity.

Amidst evolving regional and global complexities, both countries shared a deeper understanding that their relationship is indivisible, and mutual support for prosperity, equality, and peaceful coexistence is an enduring truth.

Cambodian People's Party President Hun Sen welcomes General Secretary To Lam to a state banquet on 6/2. Photo: TTXVN

Reaffirming their commitment to strengthening mutual trust and understanding, laying a solid foundation for managing and resolving outstanding issues and differences, and maintaining the positive momentum of their relationship, both sides agreed on basic principles to manage issues and prevent them from affecting the overall relationship. These principles aim to establish a new direction for more substantive and effective cooperative development, as follows:

- Respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; and careful handling of issues to avoid exploitation or further complicating the situation.

- Resolution of differences through frank and constructive dialogue, sincere cooperation, and goodwill, based on respect for each other's legitimate core interests, building on commonalities while minimizing and narrowing differences.

- Enhanced information sharing and timely consultation on matters of common concern, especially those related to national borders, communities, and cooperation programs and projects.

- Maintenance of consensus to prevent any issues from affecting the overall bilateral relationship, comprehensive cooperation, solidarity, and friendship between the two countries.

- Increased information exchange and coordination in a constructive and responsible spirit, promptly addressing emerging issues to strengthen trust and maintain stable, long-term bilateral relations.

Both sides welcomed the inauguration ceremony of the Meun Chey - Tan Nam International Border Gate on 8/12/2025 and agreed to accelerate its designation as a transit checkpoint for goods. This will be achieved through the signing of a Protocol amending the Agreement on Goods in Transit between the Government of Cambodia and the Government of Vietnam, signed in 2013.

The Vietnamese side also agreed to expedite the upgrade of the Chrey Thum (Kandal) - Khanh Binh (An Giang) bilateral border gate to an international border gate and to open a new inland waterway border gate at Khanh Binh. Both sides agreed to encourage relevant agencies to cooperate closely, simplifying cross-border transportation procedures at international border gates. They also agreed to accelerate the identification of the connecting point for the Phnom Penh - Bavet - Moc Bai - TP HCM expressway.

Full text of the Vietnam - Cambodia Joint Statement

General Secretary To Lam and Cambodian People's Party President, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship School. Photo: TTXVN

On the afternoon of 6/2, General Secretary To Lam and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship School. The project is located within the campus of Samdech Techo Hun Sen Dangkor Primary and Secondary School on Road 217, Phnom Penh.

This site once served as a logistical base for Vietnamese volunteer troops after the liberation on 7/1/1979, and has since continued to function as a school.

The Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship School currently comprises eleven learning buildings with 54 classrooms, serving 135 staff and teachers and approximately 6,000 students from preschool to junior high school levels.

With Vietnam's support, the school will undergo renovation and the construction of additional critical infrastructure in the coming period. This aims to enhance facility standards, modernize the learning environment, and increase student capacity. New facilities will include two two-story multi-purpose buildings and eight three-story buildings, totaling around 200 classrooms, two canteens, and various other auxiliary structures. Construction is projected to take eight to twelve months.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Photo: TTXVN

On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Both Prime Ministers agreed on the necessity of close coordination in managing and maintaining security and order in border areas, preventing cross-border crime, smuggling, and illegal activities. They also emphasized the importance of promptly signing an "Agreement on Border Gate Management" and an "Agreement on Border Management Regulations" to facilitate border trade and border gate management, meeting the development goals of both countries in the new period.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the finalization of the "New Economic Cooperation Mechanism for Closely Linking the Vietnamese and Cambodian Economies" project, aiming for 2035 with a vision to 2050, and to boost cooperation in the purchase and processing of agricultural and agro-industrial products.

Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to coordinate in adequately and promptly addressing emerging issues, including the sustainable protection of the environment in border areas. They will also promote negotiations to resolve the approximately 16% of the border that has not yet been delimited and demarcated, and coordinate border management on both land and sea in a spirit of mutual understanding, respect, and compliance with international law.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Cambodian side to continue addressing the legal status of people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia to help them stabilize their lives and contribute positively to Cambodia's prosperity and the friendly relations between the two countries.

Vu Hoang