Hun Sen shaking hands with Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Oct 4. - SPM
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Cambodia and Cuba on Oct 4 signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU): one on a cultural exchange programme and the other on cooperation in physical education, culture and sports.
The documents, signed in a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz following a bilateral meeting, aim to further expand bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries. The Kingdom also requested that Cuba promote cooperation in health and other fields.
The agreements link the two countries’ culture ministries from 2022-2027 and Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport with Cuba’s National Institute for Sports, Physical Education and Recreation.
Hun Sen’s assistant Eang Sophalleth told reporters that during the bilateral meeting, Marrero expressed his willingness to expand the bilateral relations and promote the implementation of all MoUs that have been signed.
“He requested that Cuba consider promoting its cooperation with Cambodia, especially in the health sector and others including sports, investment and information,” said Sophalleth, noting that Hun Sen praised Cuba’s efforts and successes in health research, including its production of Covid-19 vaccines.
Hun Sen also thanked the Cuban government and people for helping Cambodia during its most difficult times.
He recalled that when Cambodia was liberated from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, the Caribbean nation provided much-needed health support, among other aid.
An Oct 4 social media post by Hun Sen said Marrero’s visit would boost cooperation in trade, investment, economy, society, education, health and culture between the two countries.
TheCuban premier tweeted on Oct 5 that during the official dialogue, he and Hun Sen “ratified” the interests of the two nations, strengthening their historical cooperation.
Heng Kimkong, a visiting senior research fellow at the Cambodia Development Centre, said it is a positive sign that both countries are trying to strengthen their bilateral relations.
“In a world full of uncertainties, it is important that a small state like Cambodia engage with all parties to maximise its national interests,” he told The Post on Oct 5.
