The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, concluded a four day official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, after which he departed for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

On Thursday September 5, accompanied by the Minister for Tourism and Secretary of State for ASEAN Affairs, the Prime Minister began his official visit in the capital, Phnom Penh, with a full ceremonial welcome at the Peace Palace. Hundreds of Cambodian school children lined up along the road from the airport to the palace, cheering and waving Cambodian and Timor-Leste flags as the Prime Minister’s convoy passed through. The Prime Minister was met and warmly welcomed at the steps of the palace by H.E. Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Both Prime Ministers agreed in the bilateral discussions to explore further areas for cooperation between Cambodia and Timor-Leste, two countries with similar histories and experiences. Cambodia in particular expressed interest in learning from the experience of Timor-Leste in the management of its oil and gas resources. The Prime Minister promised to send his Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources to visit Cambodia to hold discussions with his counterpart and other relevant institutions.

The Cambodian Prime Minister also put his full support behind Timor-Leste’s bid for membership into ASEAN recalling that Timor-Leste is in a better condition now to join this regional body.

Prime Minister Gusmão expressed his admiration for Cambodia’s economic progress noting that it has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and that there were many lessons that Timor-Leste could draw from Cambodia’s development process, particularly in the area of agriculture and tourism.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation between the two countries took place after the discussions. This was immediately followed by the official dinner held in honour of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.

The Prime Minister Gusmão continued his visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Independence Memorial and a courtesy call on the President of the National Assembly.  Before flying to Siem Reap Province by special aircraft courtesy of the Cambodian government, the Prime Minister and his delegation visited the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum where the Prime Minister met with some survivors and listened to their stories.

In Siem Reap province, the Prime Minister and his delegation were warmly greeted by the Governor and the local population. The delegation visited the world famous Angkor Wat Temple, toured the province meeting with local artisans and witnessing firsthand the remarkable economic progress of the country.