Sofia: The Vietnamese ambassador to Bulgaria paid a celebratory visit to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Sofia on Thursday to mark the Khmer Traditional New Year, in a gesture underscoring the "fraternal" diplomatic relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Ambassador Nguy?n Th? Minh Nguy?t of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, accompanied by senior diplomatic staff, presented a ceremonial flower basket to her Cambodian counterparts at the mission.

The visit, characterised by embassy officials as having a "warm and family-like atmosphere," served as a platform for both envoys to reaffirm the strategic importance of the Phnom Penh-Hanoi partnership. "The meeting reflected mutual respect and the close-knit ties that define our diplomatic engagement," a statement regarding the visit read.

During the exchange, the two sides discussed avenues for further strengthening bilateral cooperation, expressing satisfaction with the "deepening and expanding" nature of ties at both the governmental and grassroots levels.

The Khmer New Year, Cambodia's most significant traditional holiday, often serves as a focal point for regional diplomacy among ASEAN member states. This year's meeting in the Bulgarian capital is seen by observers as a testament to the stability of the bilateral relationship, with both parties vowing to ensure that cooperation develops in an "enduring and effective" manner.