Monday, October 09, 2006

Cambodian PM begins visit

October 09, 2006

AAP

CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen has met the Governor of New South Wales at the start of a six-day visit to Australia.

He will discuss trade and regional security in talks with Prime Minister John Howard later this week.

Mr Hun Sen and his wife, Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen, were shown around the garden of Sydney's Government House when they met NSW Governor Marie Bashir this afternoon.

They will have lunch with NSW Deputy Premier John Watkins in Sydney tomorrow, and will visit Canberra, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne later this week.

Australia will be Cambodia's third largest aid donor in 2006-07. Merchandise trade between the two countries grew by more than 80 per cent last year.

Last month, federal Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said he hoped to sign a prisoner transfer deal with Mr Hun Sen when he visits Canberra.

Such an agreement would pave the way for Sydney teenager Gordon Vuong, convicted of drug smuggling in Cambodia, to serve his 13-year jail term in Australia.

Vuong was 16 when he was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport in January, 2005, with 2.1kg of heroin concealed on his body.

No comments: