Phnom Penh, August 08, 2019 –Senior government officials of Cambodia and Sri Lanka have signed two deals to boost cooperation between the two countries in the future.
The signing ceremony took place under the witness of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and visiting Sri Lankan President H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, following their bilateral meeting here at the Peace Palace this afternoon.
The deals include the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia and Sri Lanka, and the MoU on Cooperation between both nations’ Chambers of Commerce.
H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Assistant to the Cambodian Premier, said during the bilateral meeting, both leaders discussed future cooperation in terms of education, tourism, culture, trade, and civil aviation.
H.E. Maithripala Sirisena spoke highly of the relations between the two countries and lauded the development of Cambodia. He told Samdech Techo Hun Sen of his visit, the purpose of which is to promote bilateral cooperation in the above-said fields.
For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his appreciation for both sides that have well maintained their diplomatic ties and suggested them to begin as soon as possible their discussions in order to reach agreements on investment protection, double taxation and civil aviation.
Regarding the economic and trade cooperation, the Cambodian Prime Minister asked both sides to consider other possibility to boost bilateral relations in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, religion, and education.
This is the first ever visit of Sri Lanka’s President in Cambodia, while Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s first visit to Sri Lanka was in 1979 when he was foreign minister.
Cambodia and Sri Lanka established their diplomatic relations in 1952, but the ties were interrupted in the 1970s due to civil wars in Cambodia, before being resumed on Aug. 6, 1996.
By Khan Sophirom
