President to help reduce poverty among Vietnamese in Cambodia

27 August 2010

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

President Nguyen Minh Triet meets with former Lao President Khamtay Siphandon during his two-day State visit to Laos. (Photo: VNS)

VietNamNet Bridge – The Party and State recognised their responsibility to reduce poverty and improve job security for the Vietnamese community in Cambodia, said President Nguyen Minh Triet yesterday, August 26.

"It is not only a matter for the Vietnamese community there alone," he said during a call at the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh, where he began a State visit at the invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni.

Triet also asked the embassy and other relevant organisations to take the lead in addressing the problem of legal status for Vietnamese people living in Cambodia.

He said he hoped that the community would always stand together, preserve Vietnamese traditional values and look towards their homeland.

The embassy had done a good job promoting bilateral ties between Viet Nam and Cambodia and providing support to Vietnamese enterprises operating in this neighbouring country, said the President.

Before leaving Laos earlier yesterday, Triet paid a visit to former Lao President Khamtay Siphandon in Champasak Province.

He expressed his pleasure at finding the former Lao President in good health and continuing to contribute to the development of relations between the two countries.

Triet affirmed that the Party, State and people of Viet Nam were delighted at the development achievements of Laos, which now averaged an economic growth rate of nearly 8 per cent, which was made possible thanks to the contribution of the former Lao President.

Viet Nam wished to continue fostering co-operation with Laos for the development of both countries, he said.

In reply, the former Lao President said the visit by President Triet would serve as a great encouragement as the people of Laos were preparing for their upcoming ninth Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Congress.

He said he believed that the deep-rooted special Laos-Viet Nam relationship would be strengthened through exchange visits by leaders, ministries, agencies and local representatives from the two countries.

On the same day, Triet met diplomatic officials at the Vietnamese Consulate General in Champasak Province’s Pakse District and representatives of the Vietnamese community in southern Laos.

He praised the contribution made by the consulate’s diplomatic officials in fostering co-operation and friendship between the two countries.

Champasak was one of key economic hubs of Laos and had close relations with many Vietnamese localities, he stressed.

He urged the consulate to promote activities to select and support key Vietnamese businesses investing in Laos to help quicken the country’s development.

Meeting with the Vietnamese community in Laos, Triet applauded their solidarity and contribution to the development of the country and hoped they would continue upholding Vietnamese traditions; opening more schools for Lao children, and promoting the friendship between the two countries.