Vietnam, Cambodia Assemblies Forge Ties [-Shouldn't it read: Vietnam forces ties on Cambodia?]

Comrades Heng Samrin and Nguyen Phu Trong
Comrades Hun Sen and Nguyen Tan Dung

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13 March 2009

National Assembly President Heng Samrin on Friday called for stronger economic ties between Cambodia and Vietnam, following talks between the two parliaments.
Vietnam’s National Assembly vice president, Tong Thiphong, met with Heng Samrin and other officials, including Senate President Chea Sim, Prime Minister Hun Sen and King Norodom Sihamoni, on a four-day visit.

“We have exchanged our experiences and opinions focusing on parliament’s role as the people’s representative,” National Assembly First Vice President Nguon Nhil said. “We agreed to strengthen the cooperation between the national assemblies of Cambodia and Vietnam, and we approved mutual support in international fora.”

Nguon Nhil said there remained “success, friendliness, solidarity and good cooperation with our Vietnamese counterpart.”

Meanwhile, Heng Samrin urged from Vietnamese parliamentarians the continued strengthening of investment, tourism and the economy.

Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a trade agreement with Vietnam in 2008 to increase cross-border commerce and Cambodia’s export of beans, corn, palm sugar and cashew nuts.

Trade between the two countries was estimated at $1.7 billion for the first eight months of 2008, up from $1.19 billion for all of 2007. Both countries hope to reach $2 billion by 2010.