Ry Sochan – Cambodia and East Timor signed two documents to boost bilateral trade cooperation on October 20. The two documents are an air services agreement and a memorandum of understanding on the rice trade between the two countries.
The signing ceremony was held at the Peace Palace, and witnessed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta.
Before the signing, Hun Sen met for talks with Ramos-Horta, who is on a three-day visit. During the meeting, the two leaders expressed their appreciation for the bilateral relations, according to Hun Sen's personal assistant Eang Sophalleth.
Sophalleth said Ramos-Horta had offered his deepest thanks to the Cambodian government and Hun Sen for the support for East Timor, especially with regards to national development and its ASEAN membership bid.
He also thanked Cambodia for its recent donations of Covid-19 vaccines and medical equipment.
During their meeting, Ramos-Horta recalled that he had visited Cambodia several times and noted the increased prosperity of the Kingdom. He added that the bilateral relations between the two nations have strengthened.
Ramos-Horta told Hun Sen that his visit aimed to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries through the establishment of direct flights and increased trade.
"[Hun Sen] congratulated Ramos-Horta on his successful re-election to his second term," said Sophalleth.
Hun Sen said direct flights would contribute to increasing trade links between the two countries. He also urged East Timor to invest in Cambodian rice mills and equipment, and suggested East Timorese investment in rice transport infrastructure, in order to import rice from Cambodia.
"The prime minister informed his counterpart that Cambodia permits 100 per cent investment in projects by run by foreign nationals," Sophalleth said.
"[Hun Sen] urged the two parties to adhere to the newly signed agreements, and pushed for increased cooperation in the fields of education and security," he added.
Source: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national-politics/east-timor-cambodia-ink-air-link-rice-accord