Cambodian Minister of Information calls on [Thai] PM

19/10/2010
Source: www.thaigov.go.th

Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Ongart Klampaiboon led Cambodian Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information Mr Khieu Kanharith to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The President of Thai Trade Representative Mr Kiat Sittheeamorn was also present at the meeting and joined the conversation.

The Prime Minister first welcomed the Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia and conveyed regards to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Commending the improved bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand, the Prime Minister reiterated the long-lasting relations between the people of Cambodia and the people of Thailand and emphsized the cultural cooperation, which has always been the foundation of the relationship. What the two meetings with the Cambodian Prime Minister, during the ASEAN-US Summit in New York City and during the Asia-Europe Summit in Brussels, have achieved is mutual agreement on the beginning of exchange of visits on several level between the two countries, such as ministerial and press visits. As for the Prime Ministerial meeting, there would be several more opportunities for both Prime Ministers to meet, such as the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, from October 28 to 30, 2010, The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit in Phnom Pehn, from November 16 to 17, 2010, and the Japan-Greater Mekong Sub-region Cooperation framework, said the premier.

The Prime Minister also remarked on the earlier misunderstanding, noting that the problem may have arisen from incomplete news report or inaccurate translation, but the Prime Minister expressed confidence that both parties would have more direct communication in the future. Notably, the Prime Minister said it is most satisfying that, other than the political disturbances, other mechanisms between the two nations, such as, economic cooperation and values of trade and investment, in particular the border trade, have continuously been growing. Expressing the confidence in the succcessful outcomes of the press visit between the two nations, the Prime Minister said he believes the media would be another mechanism that can strengthen bilateral ties.

On this occasion, the Cambodian Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information thanked the Prime Minister and expressed support for efforts in the relief effort for the flood victims. Regarding the bilateral relations, the Cambodian Spokesperson said the two countries are to maintain constant bilateral discussions. For the past activities in Cambodia organised by Thailand, they have been well-received and have received cooperation from both the government and the people of Cambodia. The Minister also said that he understands that these activities would be held until the end of this year. On the Cambodian press visit to Thailand, the Cambodian Minister of Information said this has been the first trip to Thailand for many members of the press delegation, and the visit has positively transformed the perception towards Thailand, looking from the enthusiasm of the followers on Twitter and Facebook personal accounts, said the Minister of Information of Cambodia. He also stated that the rehabilitation of the bilateral relations is on the right course and that the constant exchange of visits should continue.