HNOM PEN, Aug. 4, 2014 –Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An and new Russian ambassador reaffirmed views that both countries need to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, tourism, trade and investment for mutual benefit.
His Excellency Ambassador Dmitry Tsvetkov—who met Dr. Sok An on Monday, August 4th, 2014—and said that he is pleased with the bilateral relations over the last six decades. Moscow looks to further improve bilateral trade and investment with Cambodia.
Russia looks to sponsor Cambodian master and PhD candidates from Cambodia, especially the Royal Academy to study in Russia next year.
Ambassador Tsvetkov said in the meeting that his government will invite Cambodian ministers from education and culture to visit Russia, a move called by Dr. Sok An as “very positive steps to strengthen diplomatic relations”.
Both sides look to have direct commercial flights from Moscow to Phnom Penh and that it will contribute to boost the tourism sector of Cambodia, which contributed about 16 percent of its GDP.
Dr. Sok An said in the meeting that he encourages more Russian tourists to come to visit Cambodia as the kingdom of wonders, where the country has more than 1,000 historic temples.
“Tourism is the gateway to develop other sectors. Once tourists come, other sectors will follow,” he said.
Cambodia received more than 4.2 million foreign tourists last year. The number of visiting tourist in Cambodia has increased by about 18 percent per year.
His Excellency Ambassador said that a Russian commercial airline would commence once the number of Russian tourists reach the total of 200,000.Last year, it is estimated that Cambodia received 130,000 Russian tourists.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An also sought Russian assistance to help restore Cambodia’s historic temple.
The value of the two-way trade is estimated approximately $60 million last year, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Dr. Sok An, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, told the diplomat that his diplomatic mission in Cambodia will further strengthen the bilateral relations.
His Excellency Dr. Sok An recalled his good relations with Moscow in the 1980s when he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during which time he had built good relations with Russia.
“Russia is an old friend of Cambodia,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Dr. Sok An said that Russia’s land mass in Asia is as big as the U.S territory and that has intrigued “leaders of the International Conference on Asian Political Party (ICAPP) who talked highly about the role of Russia in Asia”.
“Even the Russian double-headed eagle is a significance of the dominance of the Byzantine Empires over both East and West,” Dr. Sok An said.
The Russian Ambassador thanked Cambodia’s cooperation and recalled his meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that, “both countries have fruitful relations.”
“We have to do more in the areas of military, economy and politics,” said the diplomat.
Both sides also shared view that youths of the two countries needed more cooperation, a move that will contribute to the enhancement of bilateral relations.
End.
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