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.