In the article, Mr. Uch Leang affirmed that the Cambodia - Vietnam friendship is a bright symbol of solidarity and close relationship between the two neighboring peoples.
Forty-six years ago, on January 7, 1979, patriotic forces under the leadership of the "Cambodian United Front for National Salvation" (now the "Cambodian United Front for National Development"), with the support of Vietnamese volunteer troops, liberated Phnom Penh and overthrew the Pol Pot genocidal regime.
The author believes that this historic event demonstrates the great international solidarity between the people and the army of Cambodia and Vietnam. This victory has been deeply engraved in the hearts of the Cambodian people, ending the darkest period and opening a new era of independence, freedom, democracy and social progress for Cambodia. The Cambodian people consider January 7, 1979 as their second birthday.
"Without the victory on January 7, Cambodia would not exist today. This is a historical truth that no one can change or destroy. The victory on January 7, 1979 is the best historical lesson learned from Cambodia for future generations to remember and inherit the tradition of solidarity, heroism, and mutual support of the Cambodian and Vietnamese armies and people in the cause of defending the territory" - CAVA Chairman wrote.
In the article, the author quoted Mr. Sok Eysan, spokesman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), saying that under the Pol Pot genocidal regime, the Cambodian people fell into misery. During that tragic time, the Vietnamese volunteer army and the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation became an overwhelming force to defeat the Khmer Rouge, quickly and promptly launching attacks to liberate the Cambodian people and country from the genocidal regime.
After the resounding victory on January 7, Vietnamese volunteer troops continued to stay as experts to help until the Cambodian army had enough capacity to prevent the risk of the genocidal regime returning and then withdrew all forces from Cambodia on September 20, 1989, when Cambodia was completely peaceful and the country was independent.
Expert Uch Leang said that today, the friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam continues to be strengthened in many areas, from politics, economics to culture and education. Bilateral trade agreements and economic cooperation frameworks have helped increase trade turnover, promote trade and investment between the two countries. Through the growth of trade, investment and services, Vietnamese enterprises have continuously contributed to socio-economic development, creating jobs for Cambodian people... contributing to promoting the traditional friendship to become more sustainable and stronger.
The two countries also actively cooperate in border protection, transnational crime prevention and control, border security protection, and ensuring stability and common development of each country. In particular, through high-level visits, the two sides reaffirmed the agreed directions to strengthen and develop friendship and multifaceted cooperation, form specific mechanisms, and create favorable conditions to promote bilateral relations to a new stage of development.
In addition, the relationship between the two countries has been continuously strengthened with strategic trust between the CPP and the Communist Party of Vietnam. In that spirit, Cambodia and Vietnam pledge to strengthen good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability, and enhance mutual trust to bring practical benefits to the people of each country.
