The visit of the National Assembly Chairman aims to continue bringing the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship into a new stage of development on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, effective cooperation, and respect for each other's interests.
At the invitation of President of the Cambodian People's Party Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Khuon Sudary and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties Chung Eui-yong, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man led a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia to attend the 12th Plenary Meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 11th Plenary Meeting of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) from November 21-24, 2024.
On this occasion, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha gave an interview to the press to clarify the significance of the visit as well as provide information on the outstanding and noteworthy contents of the IPTP 11 and ICAPP 12 Conferences.
- How important is the official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly, Madam?
Deputy Head Le Thu Ha: This is the first official visit to Cambodia by Comrade Tran Thanh Man as Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam. The visit has many important meanings, affirming the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress, in which high priority is given to the relationship of "good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability" with Cambodia, demonstrating the trust and closeness between the senior leaders of the two countries as well as between the Chairman of our National Assembly and the senior leaders of Cambodia, contributing to the implementation of high-level agreements, especially the results of the annual meetings between the Politburo of our Party and the Standing Committee of the CPP as well as the High-level Meeting of the Heads of the three Parties of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, promoting the results of the visit to Cambodia by General Secretary and President To Lam in July 2024.
The visit also aims to continue bringing the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship into a new stage of development on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, effective cooperation, and respect for each other's interests; to propose major directions and measures to improve efficiency, create new momentum for economic cooperation, and strengthen connectivity between the two countries in the coming time; to contribute to consolidating strategic trust and deepening the relationship between the two countries, promoting cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Assembly and Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia; to enhance exchanges and contacts between the committees and friendship parliamentary groups of the two countries as well as to coordinate actions at international and regional inter-parliamentary forums.
- Can you inform us about the highlights and notable contents of this year's IPTP 11 and ICAPP 12 Conferences?
Deputy Head Le Thu Ha: About ICAPP 12, ICAPP is the largest international forum of political parties in the Asia region and also the largest multilateral political party forum in the world, established in September 2000 in the Philippines.
The aim of ICAPP is to promote exchanges and cooperation among political parties in Asia and Oceania, enhance understanding and trust among peoples and nations, and promote peace and prosperity through the special role of party-to-party relations.
Currently, ICAPP has more than 350 political parties from 52 countries and 1 territory that are eligible to participate in ICAPP activities. In recent years, ICAPP has continuously improved its position and influence in the region; at the same time, it has affirmed its role as a bridge, promoting cooperation between Asian political parties and partners in other regions of the world. Our Party actively participates and is an important member of ICAPP; has been continuously elected as a member of the Standing Committee of ICAPP, has a voice and influence in the organization's decisions.
The 12th Plenary Conference was held from November 21 to 24, 2024 with the theme "In Search of Peace and Reconciliation." According to the Organizing Committee, the Conference had 253 delegates, observers, and political organizations (including 188 international delegates, 44 delegates from the CPP and FUNCINPEC of Cambodia) from 49 political parties from 28 countries registered to attend.
The main activities of the 12th ICAPP General Assembly include the Opening Ceremony, 3 Plenary Sessions, Roundtable Dialogue between Political Parties from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, the 3rd meeting of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), the 7th meeting of the ICAPP Media Forum.
The conference is expected to adopt the Phnom Penh Peace Declaration on seeking peace and reconciliation through collective strength and cooperation of political parties within and outside Asia.
About IPTP 11, the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace is a mechanism of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP). This is an international organization established in 2017 by Mr. Ahmed Bin Mohamed Aljarwan, Diplomat of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), current President of GCTP with the aim of promoting a culture of peace, combating discrimination and violent extremism.
GCTP has its Global Headquarters in Malta and branch offices in MENA, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Cambodia currently holds the IPTP Chair for the 2023-2024 term and is the GCTP Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters.
The main activities of IPTP include the 11th IPTP Plenary Session divided into two thematic discussions on Promoting Peace Architecture, Peacebuilding, Reconciliation and Inclusion: The Synergy of Government, Parliament, Civil Society; Strengthening Multilateralism, Cooperation and Partnership for Coexistence and Inclusive Connectivity.
Attending the 11th Plenary Session of IPTP hosted by Cambodia, there are currently about 186 delegates (including 11 National Assembly Chairmen/Vice Chairmen, IPU Secretary General, ASEAN Secretary General, AIPA Secretary General, 82 parliamentarians) from 54 member parliaments, guest parliaments and partners registered to attend. The session is expected to adopt the "Phnom Penh Declaration on Supporting the Peace Charter for People and the Planet in Search for Peace, Tolerance and Reconciliation" and Commemorate the World Peace Charter.
- How has the Vietnamese National Assembly Delegation prepared and what specific contributions are expected to be made to the content of the Conference, Mr. Vice Chairman?
Deputy Head Le Thu Ha: The fact that National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man represented our Party to attend the 12th Plenary Conference of ICAPP aims to promote our Party's active participation and contributions to ICAPP, promote relations with Asian political parties, contribute to common regional issues; strengthen relations between our Party and the CPP, and demonstrate respect for the leadership of the Party and State of Cambodia.
At the same time, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will also attend the 11th Plenary Session of IPTP as a guest of the host country to show support and goodwill to the host country Cambodia, especially during Cambodia's term as IPTP Chair; thereby, contributing to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two National Assemblies in particular and the two countries in general.
In preparation for the active participation of the Vietnamese National Assembly Delegation at the two important Conferences mentioned above, the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee has closely coordinated with the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies of Vietnam, and consulted with relevant agencies of Cambodia in the process of preparing the content and documents of the Conference.
Accordingly, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is expected to deliver an important speech at the Opening Session of the 12th Plenary Conference of ICAPP, highly appreciating the position and role of ICAPP in enhancing international solidarity, promoting the resolution of international disputes and conflicts through dialogue and multilateral cooperation on the basis of international law and the United Nations Charter; affirming Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization, readiness to be a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community; affirming support for the goals of ICAPP, pledging to actively contribute to the implementation of the common goals of ICAPP and proposing a number of policies and orientations to promote peace and reconciliation in line with the theme of the Conference.
In addition, as assigned by the National Assembly Chairman, the Vietnamese delegation will also fully attend the Discussion Sessions in the ICAPP 12 Conference program and have bilateral meetings with leaders of political parties and parliaments of countries attending the Conference.
- Thank you for sharing, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Le Thu Ha./.
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