Cambodia, Germany Discuss Cooperation Deepening

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Prak Sokhonn received here on Jan. 10 H.E. Stefan Messerer, newly appointed, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia.

According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued this evening, both sides noted with satisfaction the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Germany as reflected in strong trade activities and frequent high-level exchanges and interactions and discussed their strengthening and expanding both in bilateral and international frameworks.

Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn highly appreciated the remarkable development in the bilateral relations, particularly in 2022 that was marked by the conclusion by both Foreign Ministries of the Joint Declaration of Intent to establish the Bilateral Consultations and the holding of its first round in Phnom-Penh January that year, paving the way for the Deputy PM’s official visit to Germany in February, which was the first visit by a Cambodian Foreign Minister for the last 27 years.

He also recalled the good discussions between Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz during a bilateral meeting held in Brussels in December last year as well as the talks the Deputy PM had with H.E. Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, during his official visit there.

The Deputy PM thanked Germany’s Government and People for the assistance to help Cambodia in its fight against COVID-19 and to support Cambodia’s development in various sectors, including education, culture, poverty reduction, energy, mine clearance, good governance, and health. He also noted with pleasure the healthy bilateral trade exchange, underlining that Germany stands first among the EU countries and expressed hope for more investments from the country.

Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn apprised the German Ambassador of the development in Cambodia’s democratic process, especially the preparation of the country and different political parties for the upcoming general elections to be held in a free, fair and transparent manner, stressing on the most priority of peace that the country has to protect and preserve.

Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn and Ambassador Stefan Messerer also exchanged views on some regional and international developments, during which the Deputy PM briefed the Envoy on the complexity of Myanmar crisis and Cambodia’s endeavojrs to help the country to return to normalcy. The Ambassador commended Cambodia for “excellent jobs” as the ASEAN Chair 2022 and successfully organising the ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press