PHNOM PENH, Jan. 26, 2012 (PRU) – Deputy Prime
Minister Dr. Sok told Iran’s Ambassador Seyed Javad Ghavam Shahidi that
Cambodia welcomes the enhancement of bilateral cooperation in the sectors of
oil, gas and agriculture as well as in education, which will contribute to
social development in Cambodia.
Speaking in the meeting late Thursday, H.E. Dr. Sok
An, who is also Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers,
said that both countries are continuing to focus on agricultural development.
Ambassador Shahidi said that the bilateral
agreement—including oil and gas, political consultation—signed two years ago
with Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
“needs to be deepened”.
Iran called for the establishment of a project to
symbolise bilateral relations.
“It can be in the oil and gas sector. This is best
because we have hundred years of experiences in this field”, said Ambassador
Shahidi.
H.E. Sok An told the diplomat that Cambodia has
recently welcomed two Chinese companies, in joint ventures with local partners,
to build an oil refinery in the Kingdom.
“They can import crude oil from Iran to process in
Cambodia and re-export to China”, Dr. Sok An told the Ambassador.
Ambassador Shahidi said that he would convey the
message to Tehran and that Iran looks forward to cooperating with Cambodia in
agriculture and biological technology.
Cambodian experts are welcomed to study in Iran, where
a research centre will be established. Bilateral trade and other areas can be
discussed and studied later, said the diplomat.
The Ambassador said that Iran is very good at treating
eye, heart and kidney problems.
Dr. Sok An said that investment from Tehran in medical
services is welcome so that Cambodian patients do not have to spend money to
travel to Singapore or Hong Kong or somewhere else for treatment.
“Iranian businessmen can invest in private hospitals
in Cambodia”, he said.
Tehran announced its support for Cambodia’s candidacy
to become a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council for 2013-2014.
It was a fruitful talk in which Dr. Sok An welcomed
the positive comments of Iran’s Ambassador, saying that Cambodia is considering
its possibility to send experts from concerned institutions to learn from Iran
in the area of oil and gas and other research areas for the benefit of social
development.
The Ambassador also said that he is pleased to see the
Kingdom of Cambodia and the current government of Thailand getting along with
each other.
Ambassador Shahidi said, “Asian is very important for
Iran now. Asian countries are our focus.”