Phnom Penh (FN), March 20 – Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sakhonn met with Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, an Australian Senator and the Minister in charge of International and Pacific Region Development in Cambodia, last Thursday.

Both sides discussed strengthening cooperation. Cambodian expressed gratitude towards the Australian government for their assistance and support with the scholarships and internships under New Colombo Plan and the MoU regarding the Settlement of Nauru Refugees in Cambodia based on humanitarian and volunteerism.

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells expressed her condolences for the recent passing of DPM Sok An and spoke highly of the 65-years of diplomacy between Cambodia

She also congratulated Cambodia on it's economic growth and transformation from a low income country a to middle-income country.

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells commended Cambodia’s government for its continued mine clearance efforts and reiterated that Australia will continue to provide assistance with mine clearance, gender equality, and preventing violence against women.

Fierravanti-Wells said that Australia is preparing to welcome Prime Minister Hun Sen at the ASEAN-Australia Summit Meeting which will be held in Australia during March 2018.

The Senator recognized the importance of the Cambodia-Australia cooperation for agriculture through CACAC – Phase I (Cambodia Agriculture Value Chain) 2010-2015 which greatly contributed to an increase in the standard of living and economic development for many people living in rural areas.

It was confirmed that the Australia will implement CACAC – Phase II (Cambodia Agriculture Value Chain) which will lady from 2016 to 2021..

Cambodian Minister Prak Sokhonn shared the recent changes in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, particularly the establishment of Diplomatic Institute and the Study on International Relations.

The minister has hopes that the Diplomatic Institute will partner with the Diplomatic Academy of Australia, an idea that received a warm greeting from Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

The meeting allowed both countries to recognize the growth and development within each nation. It also solidified the need to continue working together to strengthen the cooperation and support between the two countries.
=FRESH NEWS