HANOI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni's visit to Vietnam would create strong driving forces to bring the friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a new height, the Vietnam News Agency quoted Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet as saying here Tuesday

    Triet made the remarks in his talks with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, who arrived in Hanoi Tuesday on a three-day official visit. A grand welcome ceremony was held by Triet before talks started.

    Triet and Sihamoni shared satisfaction over the growing friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries during their talks. They also shared pleasure at the two countries' cooperation that has been strengthened in all fields to contribute actively to each country's growth and to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

    Triet lauded the Cambodian people for the immense achievements they have recorded in the national construction under the clear-sighted leadership of King Sihamoni and wished them to obtain greater success and successfully build their country of peace and prosperity.

    Sihamoni expressed his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, government and people for their past and present wholehearted support and valuable assistance.

    Sihamoni said he will follow ex-King Norodom Sihanouk and ex-Queen Monineath Sihanouk to consolidate and further develop the existing growing friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam.

    Sihamoni is scheduled to meet with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh on Wednesday.

    The visit is widely seen to help implement consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and push forward bilateral relations to a new level.

    Over the past few years, economic and political exchanges between Vietnam and Cambodia have been frequent at all levels. The trade value between the two countries stood at 1.18 billion U.S. dollars last year. The two sides vow to expand bilateral trade to 2.3 billion dollars by 2010.