PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and Germany have reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to enhancing both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in various areas, including politics, economy, trade, education, tourism, climate change, environmental protection and relations between national assemblies.
The commitment was emphasised during the second round of bilateral consultations between the two nations’ foreign ministries, co-chaired by Chem Widhya, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and his German counterpart Petra Sigmund, in Berlin, Germany on Jan 24, according to a Jan 30 press release from the foreign affairs ministry.
In the press release, Widhya underscored important historical events that have bolstered the bilateral ties between the two countries.
He said these included the official visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife to Cambodia, bilateral discussions between former Prime Minister Hun Sen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the official visit of former Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn to Berlin and various visits by German parliamentary delegations to Cambodia.
“Secretary of state Widhya also recalled the successful conclusion of the Inter-Governmental Cooperation Negotiations held in Bonn, [Germany] in October last year,” the press release stated.
According to the release, the ministry highlighted discussions on cooperation within a multilateral framework and the exchange of views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern.
Both dignitaries expressed deep satisfaction with the consultations, acknowledging them as a crucial mechanism for maintaining meaningful dialogues between the two countries.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that Cambodia-Germany bilateral relations have seen significant evolution, with collaboration spanning all sectors.
He noted that Germany has been instrumental in assisting Cambodia in governance, democracy and public administrative reforms.
Phea noted that both nations have areas where they can learn from each other.
“The political consultations between both sides demonstrated a commitment to fostering relations and cooperation, and they underscored the progress in this relationship. The dialogue offered an opportunity for both parties to further learn from each other,” he said.
He added that the country needs Germany’s assistance in development and that it plays a key role within the European parliamentary framework and the German market, as well as increasing friends to gain support on the international stage and strengthen ties with the West.
Phea emphasised that Germany needs Cambodia due to its significant role within the Asean framework, where the bloc’s consensus is a vital voice and added that Germany, with its Indo-Pacific strategy, seeks support from countries in South-East Asia. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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