Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich is slated to pay an official state visit to the Kingdom from Tuesday to Thursday next week to discuss military cooperation and the two neighbours’ bilateral relationship.

On Wednesday, Ngo is expected to hold separate meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Defence Minister Tea Banh and King Norodom Sihamoni, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat said yesterday that Lich was newly appointed in April, and called the visit routine.

“It is an introductory visit and to show a strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the defence sector between Vietnam and Cambodia,” Socheat said, adding that “the close friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam serves the interests of peace and stability along the border”.