Ambassador Maria Amelita C Aquino (left) and H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia (right), exchange views on the current state of bilateral relations of the Philippines and Cambodia.

(Photo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia)

9 October 2023 – The Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Maria Amelita C. Aquino, called on His Excellency Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia on 5 October 2023.

Ambassador Aquino thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for his warm welcome and for taking the time to discuss the current state and future of Philippines-Cambodia relations. Both sides highlighted the successful bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Prime Minister Hun Manet at the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summits in Jakarta.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated eagerness to pursue cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas such as agriculture, MSME development, and people-to-people exchanges. Ambassador Aquino agreed that these areas of cooperation are significant for both the Philippines and Cambodia. She likewise expressed the importance of economic diplomacy for the Philippines.

The Ambassador also expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the Cambodian government and its people given to the Filipino Community in Cambodia. She recalled how many Filipinos consider Cambodia their second home. Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea stated that Filipinos are very welcome in Cambodia, and offered the government’s assistance in protecting and ensuring their welfare away from home.

Discussions between the two officials also touched upon defense cooperation, trade and investments and tourism.   Ambassador Aquino also noted the two countries’ cooperation in the regional and multilateral fora.  END

Ambassador Maria Amelita C Aquino (left) and H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia (right) shake hands.

(Photo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia)