Cambodia and Vietnam have agreed to enhance their collaborative efforts in the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who perished in Cambodia during wartime.
The consensus was reached during the 22nd meeting of the Specialised Committees of both governments, co-chaired by Pol Saroeun, senior minister in charge of Special Missions, and Vo Minh Luong, Vietnam’s deputy defence minister, in Ho Chi Minh City on October 24.
Minh Luong expressed gratitude to Cambodia and its committee for their consistent support in searching, gathering and repatriating the remains of fallen Vietnamese personnel.
He further requested the Cambodian side to screen a documentary detailing the collaboration in retrieving remains over the past 22 years, spanning from 2000 to 2022.
During the 2022-2023 dry season, Vietnamese teams successfully located and collected the remains of 640 individuals, according to Vietnamese media.
Seun Sam, an international relations researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, commented on the humanitarian significance of these efforts.
He noted that the endeavour not only held benevolent value but also highlighted Vietnam’s role in assisting Cambodia during its liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime.
“This work strengthens bilateral ties between the two neighbouring nations and provides solace to the families of the Vietnamese soldiers who sacrificed their lives,” he said.
He stressed Vietnam’s commitment to honouring its citizens, especially those who gave their lives for their country and suggested that Cambodia could draw inspiration from Vietnam’s dedication to this cause.
During the meeting, representatives from both nations signed minutes, outlining coordination activities planned for the future.
Cambodian experts were conferred with the Friendship Order and Friendship Medal of Vietnam and certificates of merit from Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minh Luong in recognition of their contributions between 2013 and 2020.
