Day: March 19, 2024

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), has extended his congratulations to H.E. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as President of the Russian Federation.

‘I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your re-election as President of the Russian Federation for the fifth term,’ he wrote in his congratulatory message dated Mar. 19.

Cambodia highly values and deeply cherishes its traditional and friendly ties with the Russian Federation, established under the aegis of mutual respect and understanding, shared values, and common interests, underlined Samdech Techo Hun Sen, adding that for almost seven decades, the two countries have basked in the glory of mutual political trust, which has been the foundation supporting their states’ conduct, resonating deeply across all spheres of cooperation.

‘In my capacity as President of the Cambodian People’s Party, I would like to reiterate my readiness to work closely with you and your collea
gues to further promote relations between our ruling parties and state institutions for the mutual interests of our nations and peoples,’ said Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) mechanism has become an effective model of win-win cooperation, offered consistent and significant progress, and enhanced cooperation.

The remarks were made by H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International, in his congratulatory message on the Eighth MLC’s Anniversary and MLC Week 2024 from Mar. 18 to 24, 2024.

‘The launch of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation in Sanya in 2016 reflected the common aspirations of our six Leaders to promote peace, stability, and all-round development and to build acommunity with a shared future of peace and prosperity for our people and beyond,’ he said. ‘Over eight years, the MLC mechanism has reached new heights. It has become an effective model of win-win cooperation, offered consistent and significant progress, and enhanced cooperation. It has also promoted the region’s long-term growth and sustainable development, especially through the Five-Year Action Plan for 2018 to 2022, which
yielding fruitful benefits for the well-being of our peoples.’

Despite growing geopolitical uncertainty, volatility, and complexity, he continued, the framework remains on its practical path. At the Fourth MLC Leaders’ Meeting in December 2023, our heads of government adopted the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration. In agreeing to advance the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt, they highlighted the need to seize opportunities in the fields of science, technology and industry. Leaders also agreed to cooperate in new energy fields such as electric vehicles and photovoltaics and consider a Lancang-Mekong Comprehensive Information Platform for Agricultural Economy, Trade and Technology.

Leaders adopted a new Five-Year Plan of Action for 2023 to 2027 which includes exploring for new models of tourism cooperation. As part of efforts to engage youth in new patterns of travel across different platforms, Cambodia is launching a Mekong-Lancang Youth Tourism Ambassador web portal. This recognises the ability of young people
to easily adapt to technology and digital transformation.

The third document adopted – Joint Initiatives on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Innovation Corridor Development aims to improve collaboration in science, technology and innovation. Fields covered range from poverty alleviation, industrial development and public health to digital and green technologies and entrepreneurship including the climate for startups. In Cambodia, the main focal point for developing such innovation corridors across the Mekong-Lancang region is the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

The MLC Special Fund remains a crucial financing instrument for new projects in the fields of rural development, poverty alleviation, water resources, agriculture, air transport, health, education, tourism, culture and women’s empowerment. ‘I sincerely thank the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China for their support and active engagement in advancing the MLC framework,’ he said.

According to the Cambodian top d
iplomat, MLC will continue as a positive catalyst with other mechanisms. It complements the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as well as China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative and Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative. These are designed to further promote inclusive growth and digital economic development, which will advance sub-regional integration and ASEAN community building.

‘I am confident the framework will continue to support a community with a shared future with prosperity for all as a promising development for the region,’ concluded H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Lao Airlines, the national airline of Laos, restarted on Tuesday its direct flights between Vientiane and Phnom Penh, offering a three-times-a-week service, scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The first Lao Airline’s flight with 116 passengers on board arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport on Mar. 19 and was warmly greeted in a ceremony hosted by H.E. Hul Seila, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, while passengers on board received gifts of flowers and Khmer scarfs (Krama).

Operated by Air Bus320 or ATR 72, the flight is scheduled to depart Vientiane at 8.35 am and land in Phnom Penh at 9.50 am.

The resumption of the Vientiane-Phnom Penh route will contribute to tourism attraction to the two countries, said H.E. Sin Chansereyvutha, Under Secretary of State at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.

‘The resumption of Lao Airlines flights is a positive sign for the travel of tourists, businessmen, contributing to enhanceing the relationship between the people of the two
countries,’ he said.

In 2023, Laos was the fourth largest source of foreign tourists for Cambodia with more than 372,285 visitors, an increase of 302 percent from 92,609 in 2022, a report from the Ministry of Tourism showed.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this afternoon reiterated the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to modernise the medical equipment and facilities and upgrade the capacity of medical professionals.

At the closing ceremony of the 43rd Health Conference, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said modernisation of medical equipment and facilities and medical professionals’ capacity building is a priority of the 7th-mandate Royal Government.

The Premier also underlined the Royal Government’s attention to minimise the gap of health standard between the urban and rural areas.

Some US$140 million will be used to modernise regional hospitals to reduce the burden of patients pouring into the capital, he said.

Besides, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet encouraged the strengthening and enhancement of the capacity of medical practitioners on how to ensure efficiency in health services.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse