The Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines (FSI) and the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations of Cambodia (NIDIR) co-organized on 19 October 2022 the virtual Mabini Dialogue on “Current State and Future Prospects for Cambodia-Philippines Relations”   as part of the activities to commemorate  the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cambodia.

Philippine Ambassador Maria Amelita C. Aquino and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) Deputy Director General of Asia-Pacific Mr. Pho Sam Ang extensively discussed the history and extent of the relations between the two countries, citing a number of past, existing, and future avenues of cooperation such as in trade and investment, defense, security, education, and public health.

In her presentation, Ambassador Aquino remarked, “the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations should be seen as a new beginning to reinvigorate our bilateral ties and translate it into concrete cooperation and programs that will benefit our peoples and countries.”

The presentations also cited the rich socio-cultural relations of the two countries beginning from King Norodom I’s visit to the Philippines in 1872 where he brought back to Cambodia Filipino musicians, to the presence of Filipinos in Cambodia and Cambodian alumni and scholars. 

As discussant, Department of Finance Project Manager IV Atty. Raymond Alikpala also shared his personal perspectives on the progress and development of Philippines-Cambodia relations based on his ten-year experience working in the Kingdom.

A question and answer portion followed after the presentations. END.