Top Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders have exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic between the two countries.

In their separate messages, the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, and National Assembly leaders expressed elation at the positive development of the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia over the past 45 years.

They thanked the Cambodian leaders and people for their wholehearted support and valuable assistance for Vietnam during its struggle for national liberation in the past and the cause of national construction and defence at present.

The leaders expressed their belief that the fine neighbourly relations of traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability between Vietnam and Cambodia will be further developed, in the interest of their peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In their separate messages, the Cambodian leaders confirmed that they consider the Cambodia-Vietnam relationship an invaluable asset of the two nations. They expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnamese government and people for helping Cambodia escape the genocidal Pol Pot regime in 1979 and rebuild the country.

The two Foreign Ministers of Vietnam and Cambodia also cabled messages of congratulation to each other on this occasion./.