Kuala Lumpur (FN), Feb. 27 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spoke during the joint statement outlining the political stance of political and economic relation and cooperation between the two nations.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Feb.27) at the joint statement in Malaysia.

“I would like to thank Your Excellency for the warmest welcome and excellent arrangement extended to me and my delegation during my first official visit to Malaysia today. This year marks the 67th anniversary of a relationship between our two countries. And throughout these years our bonds have grown to new height in terms of economic, high-level interaction, people-to-people exchange and strengthen defence tie. I take this opportunity to extend our profound appreciations to Malaysia for support and engagement across diverse sectors as well as good care and facilitation provided to Cambodian workers residing in Malaysia.

In addition, Cambodia always keep in our hearts the invaluable contributions of Malaysian peacekeepers to Cambodia during our peace-process in the early 1990s. Prime Minister Anwar's official visit to Cambodia last March and my visit today signifies this close cooperation between our two countries. Today, like Prime Minister Anwar has mentioned, we have concluded our discussions on a wide range of matters in order to improve our cooperation across sectors.

In our deliberation, we note that with satisfaction and positive step taking since the official visit of Prime Minister Anwar to Cambodia last March. Together, we charted new course action aimed at fostering shared growth and prosperity.

First, on the political fronts, assured Prime Minister Anwar's continuity of Cambodia positive and inclusive approach towards Muslim communities. Cambodia welcomes Malaysia's decisions to host and to start discussions on our joint commission for bilateral cooperation which hopefully to take place very soon before mid of this year in order to start off the process of engagement in other sectors as well.

Second, on the economic fronts, our bilateral trade shows promising upward trends and there is still untapped potentials to further bolster economic partnership, we underline a more active role of our private sectors in fostering economic collaborations and development initiative. A quick win will be immediate implementation of the two MoUs between our respective private sectors to be signed later today. Furthermore, I will address the Cambodia-Malaysia Business Forum later today to showcase potential and investment opportunities awaiting Malaysia's exploration and expertise. We also welcome the signing of the MOU on corporations in the area of Financial Innovation and Payment Services that have just concluded. Moreover, Cambodia invited Malaysia to consider the possibility of establishing a joint trade committee. We have discussed on this matter to explore additional values and inject new energies into economic and trade relations. We discussed the deepening of our collaborations in the fields of education, training, custom, halal food industry and possibility of expanding import of agricultural product in the two countries.

Third, recognizing the importance of enhanced connectivity. We discussed the possibility of collaboration further in terms of tourism and facilitation of additional direct flight like Prime Minister Anwar has mentioned, especially for more destinations between our two countries to facilitate the visit between our two peoples, as well as the tourists from the third country between our two countries.

Fourth, under defence and security cooperation, we reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen military cooperation and sustaining collaborations, including information exchanges and tackle regional challenge posed by online scams. On the energy front, Cambodia appreciated Malaysia's principles of portfolio facilitating the Laos-Cambodia-Singapore under sea power, transmission cable project across the coastal region. In addition, Cambodia invited Malaysia to consider participation in the above sea, undersea power transmission cable project between Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore for regional energy security.

In closing, Prime Minister Anwar and I are optimistic about the future of relations between our two countries. We all continue to meet and can share regularly a view of elevating our relationship to new height.”
=FRESH NEWS