Tokyo (FN), Dec. 16 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the temples represent the soul of Cambodian citizens. The premier vowed to continue cooperating with Japan's Sophia University on the conservation, maintenance and restoration of temples.

The premier received a courtesy call by Ishizawa Yoshiaki, Japanese Director of the Sophia Asia Center for Research and Human Development and Chief of the Sophia Angkor International Mission, held on 15 December 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.

Ishizawa Yoshiaki thanked Samdech Thipadei for taking the time to allow him and his delegation to pay a courtesy call. He also expressed his pleasure to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the Angkor Wat Western Causeway on 4 November 2023 in Siem Reap.

Ishizawa Yoshiaki briefed Samdech Thipadei on the progress of the Sophia University in the restoration of Angkor Wat temple and other temples in Siem Reap for more than 30 years with love and admiration for the talent of the Cambodian ancestors in building those temples.

Sofia University has opened the Asia Center for Research and Training of Human Resources in Siem Reap to share experiences on conservation, restoration, and management of heritage sites at temples in Angkor and Preah Vihear. The study explores practical applications.

Ishizawa Yoshiaki requested Samdech Thipadei to support Sophia University to continue cooperation in repair and conservation work in the Angkor archaeological park.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei expressed his pleasure to meet with Ishizawa Yoshiaki following the meeting in early November 2023 in Siem Reap.

Samdech Thipadei also thanked the director and Sophia University for participating in the restoration of the temple and human resources training in Cambodia, a gesture of love through practical activities to help preserve and maintain the temples that will last forever.

Premier Hun Manet informed that Angkor Wat temple and other temples represent souls of Cambodian citizens. In this sense, the Royal Government in every mandate always pays high attention to the preservation of Angkor Archaeological Park and the livelihoods of the citizens living in the surrounding area, adhering to the concept of “conservation for development, development for conservation."

Lastly, Samdech Thipadei also pointed out that the Royal Government of the 7th mandate will continue to cooperate with Sophia University in renovating temples and human resources training in Cambodia by providing smooth task implementations.
=FRESH NEWS