(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a farewell call from outgoing Timorese Ambassador to Cambodia Ermenegildo Kupa Lopes on 7 July 2025 at the Peace Palace.

During the meeting, the ambassador thanked Samdech Thipadei for allowing him and his delegation to pay a courtesy call. He conveyed his admiration and high appreciation for Cambodia's rapid development across all sectors.

He emphasised that during his tenure, he had learned invaluable lessons, knowledge, and success stories from Cambodia's socioeconomic progress, which could serve as best practices for Timor-Leste's own development. The ambassador expressed firm confidence that under the wise and visionary leadership of Samdech Thipadei, Cambodia would continue to achieve remarkable progress and effectively overcome future challenges.

He also praised the exemplary leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and expressed profound appreciation for Cambodia's support, especially in its role as ASEAN Chair in 2022, which helped convince ASEAN member states to accept Timor-Leste as the bloc's 11th member. He noted that without the support of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Timor-Leste would not have attained full membership in ASEAN.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, and highly valued the ambassador's efforts in strengthening and expanding Cambodia-Timor-Leste relations and cooperation. He congratulated Timor-Leste on its upcoming formalisation as ASEAN's 11th member in the near future.

Samdech Thipadei also thanked the government and people of Timor-Leste for the warm welcome extended to Samdech Techo during his official visit to the country. Samdech Thipadei reaffirmed Cambodia's continued support for Timor-Leste as an ASEAN member and highlighted the strong potential for both countries to further enhance and expand bilateral cooperation. He affirmed that Cambodia stands ready to provide all necessary support to advance the Cambodia-Timor-Leste partnership towards greater growth and strength.

Before concluding the meeting, Samdech Thipadei extended his best wishes to ambassador for success in his new diplomatic mission.
=FRESH NEWS