Vice Prime Minister Kalbuadi Lay Strengthens Cooperation Relations during Official Visit to Cambodia
The Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia on August 28th and 29th. During this visit, he met with the Prime Minister and members of the new Cambodian Government, which took office on August 1st, to strengthen bilateral cooperation ties.
During the meetings with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Hun Manet, the Minister of Trade, Cham Nimul, and the Minister of Tourism, Sok Soken, various topics of mutual interest were discussed, with emphasis on cooperation in the areas of education, economy, trade and tourism between Timor-Leste and Cambodia.
The Prime Minister of Cambodia reaffirmed his country's support for Timor-Leste's membership of ASEAN, the World Trade Organisation, and other regional and global initiatives. The historic diplomatic relationship between the two countries began in 2002 and was highlighted as a solid foundation for deepening cooperation.
The Cambodian Head of Government also expressed his desire to continue the scholarship programme, which has enabled ten Timorese students to study in his country.
The Vice Prime Minister expressed Timor-Leste's gratitude for Cambodia's support in admitting Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN and for the observer status granted to the country. Kalbuadi Lay expressed the determination to boost trade cooperation, especially in the rice trade.
The meeting with the Minister of Commerce, Cham Nimul, resulted in a renewed commitment to accelerate the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year on trade in fortified rice between Timor-Leste and Cambodia. The Vice Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of creating economic forums to promote the involvement of the private sector in both countries and explore opportunities for cooperation.
At the meeting with the Minister of Tourism, Sok Soken, drafting a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the tourism sector was discussed. This Memorandum will aim to boost cultural and economic exchanges, establish stronger interpersonal relations, strengthen mutual benefits, and foster greater trust between the two nations.
