Cambodia and Vietnam Deepen Defence and Public Security Cooperation Amid Strained Ties with Thailand

Cambodia and Vietnam have pledged to deepen cooperation in defence and public security, as Phnom Penh seeks to strengthen ties with Hanoi amid continuing tensions in its relationship with Thailand. VietnamPlus, citing the state-run Vietnam News Agency, reported that Cambodian Interior Ministry Secretary of State Chan Ean met Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang in Hanoi on Tuesday. Luong Tam Quang is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The two officials discussed cooperation and the exchange of experience in national defence and public security. According to the Vietnamese report, both sides praised their existing relationship and committed to expanding long-term cooperation between their security institutions. Cambodian and Vietnamese security officials are also expected to continue holding regular meetings under established cooperation programmes. The talks followed a visit to Hanoi by Cambodian National Assembly President Khuon Sudary in late July, when she met senior Vietnamese leaders. During those meetings, Vietnamese officials raised the situation of Vietnamese citizens living in Cambodia and called for measures to protect their interests and help eligible residents obtain legal status. Cambodia and Vietnam have maintained close political and security ties for decades. The latest talks come as relations between Cambodia and Thailand remain strained following border tensions and diplomatic disagreements.