AKP Phnom Penh, October 20, 2022 –The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste have signed two bilateral documents to strengthen their bilateral cooperation in the areas of air services and rice trade.
The signing ceremony took place here at the Peace Palace this afternoon under the witness of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and visiting Timor-Leste President H.E. Dr. José Manuel Ramos-Horta, following their bilateral summit meeting.
The first document –Air Services Agreement – was inked between H.E. Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation and H.E. Dr. Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste.
The other document is the Memorandum of Understanding on Rice Trade between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. It was signed by H.E. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia and the Timor-Leste foreign minister.
According to H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Assistant to the Cambodian Premier, during the summit meeting, Dr. José Manuel Ramos-Horta informed Samdech Techo of his intention to expand the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries through direct flight establishment and trade promotion.
The president thanked the Royal Government of Cambodia for its assistance to Timor-Leste, especially in the national construction and development, and for its support for Timor-Leste’s application for the ASEAN membership, as well as for its donation in vaccines and medical supplies against COVID-19.
For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen welcomed the establishment of direct flights between the two countries, stressing that direct link would help boost trade ties between both nations. He thus encouraged investors from Timor-Leste to invest in rice storage and milling for export to Timor-Leste.
The Cambodian Prime Minister continued that foreigners are allowed to invest 100 percent in Cambodia, which is an attractive point for Timor-Leste investors to come to Cambodia.
Moreover, Samdech Techo Hun Sen encouraged the implementation of the memoranda of understanding already signed by the two Heads of Government and requested a review of cooperation in the areas of education and security.
A high-level delegation of Timor-Leste led by H.E. President José Manuel Ramos-Horta arrived in Phnom Penh on Oct. 19 for a state visit until Oct. 21. Earlier today, besides Samdech Techo Hun Sen, H.E. Dr. José Manuel Ramos-Horta was granted a royal audience by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and met with Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, President of the Senate, and Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly. By C. Nika
