Cambodian Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith held a working session with leaders of national radio broadcaster The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) in Hanoi on December 21 and signed a bilateral cooperation agreement for 2017-2020.
The deal allows the two sides to air more radio news and programmes on each country’s politics, economy, culture and society, aiming to strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.
The two sides will also send high-ranking delegations to visit each other to exchange experience. The VOV will help Cambodia national radio tackle technical problems.
At the signing ceremony, VOV General Director Nguyen The Ky expressed his belief that the Cambodian minister’s visit, which takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, will foster information cooperation between the two countries.
Ky also briefed the guests on the media activities of Vietnam and the VOV. Formed in 1945, the VOV operates eight national radio channels, nearly 20 television channels, two online newspapers, one printed newspaper, one opera house and 17 representative offices across the country and the world.
With more than 3,100 staff members, VOV airs news in 12 languages, including Khmer.
The VOV leader said the agency wants longer and more diverse Vietnamese programmes to be aired on the Cambodia National Radio.
For his part, Khieu Kanharith said that Cambodia’s national radio broadcasts Vietnamese programmes for 15 minutes a day. It plans to increase time for the programme, but it is facing some difficulties. He asked the VOV to assist the Cambodia national radio to increase the time for the Vietnamese programme to 30 minutes per day.
He said that 2018 will be an important year for Cambodia as the country will hold general elections, adding that he hopes the cooperation agreement will help serve coverage of the election.
The same day, the Cambodian minister presented a Moha Sena Order, the noblest order of the Cambodian Royal Government, to VOV General Director Ky. VOV Deputy General Directors Vu Hai and Nguyen Xuan Huy and some former VOV leaders also received Sa Hak Metrey Orders of Cambodia.