On 20 February 2024, His Excellency CHUM Sounry, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, had a fruitful discussion with His Excellency ALAN Bowman, Director-General for Southeast Asia and Oceania of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada, during the latter’s working visit to Cambodia from 19 to 21 February 2024. Both sides had candid exchange of views on the promotion of relations and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
His Excellency Secretary of State welcomed today’s signing of the MoU on the establishment of Bilateral Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries as another milestone in Cambodia-Canada bilateral relations. He considered the signing of the MoU as an important step in moving forward the bilateral cooperation to a new level. Both sides discussed the agenda and mutually convenient date for the first session of the bilateral consultations to be held within this year.
During the dialogue, His Excellency Secretary of State also took the opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to Canada for supporting Cambodia’s economic growth and development through cooperation in the promotion of investment and trade, education, demining, and health.
Noting with deep satisfaction that the number of Canadian tourist arrivals in Cambodia has increased by double in 2023 compared to 2022, His Excellency Secretary of State lauded the recent inauguration of the Canadian Consulate in Siem Reap on 13 February and expressed his confidence that the move by the Canadian side would contribute to promoting greater cooperation in tourism, trade and investment between the two countries.
On ASEAN-Canada, His Excellency Secretary of State recalled and congratulated Canada on the elevation of the partnership with ASEAN to a Strategic Partnership level, and pledged to offer Cambodia’s continued support to deepen ASEAN-Canada dialogue relations, including to work towards the conclusion of ASEAN-Canada FTA negotiation.
Secretary of State CHUM Sounry assured the delegation of Cambodia’s readiness to facilitate and coordinate with relevant line ministries and institutions in Cambodia to implement decisions reached by both sides.
It is noteworthy that right after the above-mentioned talks, His Excellency CHHOUK Bunna, Director-General of the General Department of Europe, Americas, and Africa-Middle East and His Excellency ALAN Bowman, Director-General for Southeast Asia and Oceania, signed the MoU on the establishment of the bilateral consultations between the two Foreign Ministries.
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