Indonesian ties set to expand
CAMBODIA and Indonesia are poised to continue strengthening and expanding cooperation to further improve areas such as the economy, education, defence and other sectors this year.
The remarks came after Prime Minister Hun Manet met with Indonesian ambassador Santo Darmosumarto on January 10 at the Peace Palace.
According to a joint press release, Santo praised the many achievements of the Cambodian government under Manet’s leadership in the past 100 days.
“2024 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. At the meeting, the ambassador expressed his commitment to making 2024 a year dedicated to fostering the relationship and cooperation between the two nations,” it stated.
Santo emphasised the strong and long-term diplomatic ties between the two countries, declaring his dedication to enhancing cooperation, including economic partnership, people-to-people connections, provision of public services and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.
Manet welcomed Santo and his colleagues, commending the Indonesian ambassador’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between the two countries.
He affirmed that the government was ready to continue enhancing and broadening the cooperation.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed boosting economic cooperation, such as increasing and continuing the export of Cambodian milled rice to Indonesia.
The leaders aim to foster defence through strengthening capacity and training army officials, as well as bolstering other sectors.
The meeting also covered youth-to-youth connections, focusing on education and student exchanges.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said on January 11 that the relationship between Cambodia and Indonesia has been a longstanding connection since the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s pursuit of peace in Cambodia.
He added that Indonesia has actively supported Cambodia, including facilitating an informal meeting between former Prime Minister Hun Sen and the late King Father.
“On the current journey, Indonesia and Cambodia have maintained excellent relations, supporting each other in regional and bilateral affairs. I still remember the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2012,” he said.
“At that time, Cambodia faced a deadlock, unable to issue a statement. Indonesia played a key role in coordinating the issuance of the statement. This exemplifies the relationship in the past,” he added.
Peou said that historically, Cambodia and Indonesia have never had a problematic relationship and have consistently supported each other regardless of the situation.
In a separate meeting on January 10, Manet spoke with Singaporean ambassador to Cambodia Teo Lay Cheng, highly valuing her efforts in maintaining and enhancing cooperation across various sectors of the two countries.
Teo confirmed that Singapore is ready to collaborate and assist the Kingdom in human capital training.
To date, the city-state has provided training to over 11,000 Cambodian students and civil servants.
“We intend to continue the support, organising study programmes in specific areas that Cambodia requires, to help the country achieve high-income status by 2050,” said the ambassador.