(Phnom Penh): On June 4, the Embassy of Indonesia in Phnom Penh, in collaboration with the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), hosted Indonesia-Cambodia Forum with the theme of "Indonesia-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations and Development in Cambodia."
The forum provided a platform to exchange views on the progress of bilateral cooperation, especially in relations to peace and development in Cambodia. The forum was attended by around 46 journalists from television, online, and print media. Present as well were members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
In his remarks, CCJ President, Puy Kea, appreciated the opportunity for Cambodian journalists to engage directly with the Embassy. He underscored the important contributions born from strong Indonesia-Cambodia ties throughout Cambodia's modern history. Such friendship, which was founded on the close bonds between the two countries founding leaders, President Sukarno and King Norodom Sihanouk, has gone through the test of times.
Santo Darmosumarto, Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, initiated the exchanges of views by giving a short presentation on the history and recent achievements of Indonesia-Cambodia cooperation. While highlighting the various moments following the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1959, Ambassador Santo also reminded the forum of the bonds that link Indonesians and Cambodians as far as the 9th Century, at the beginning of the great Khmer Empire.
Ambassador Santo also highlighted Indonesia's role in the peace process in Cambodia, including through the hosting of the Jakarta Informal Meetings in the late 1980s, and co-chairing the Paris Peace Conference as well as facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand in 2011, during the two countries' border disputes.
"Indonesia always supports peaceful resolutions of conflicts through open and constructive dialogue," he added.
On economic relations, Ambassador Santo stated that bilateral trade has consistently exceeded USD 1 billion in the past two years, which he hopes would happen again in 2025.
"We aim to further increase the presence of Indonesian products in the Cambodian market, raise awareness among Cambodian consumers of Indonesian brands and quality, and encourage more Indonesian companies to do business here," he added.
The forum also served as a prelude to "Sousdey Indonesia", the largest solo Indonesian exhibition in Cambodia, which is scheduled to take place on 14-15 June 2025, at Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre, Phnom Penh. This exhibition will showcase Indonesian products, services, food, culture, and tourism. It will also provide information on education opportunities for Cambodian students in Indonesia.
In the meeting, Ambassador Santo expressed hope that the Cambodian journalists present at the forum would help disseminate information about the exhibition and contribute to strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations.
"Journalists play a vital role in fostering mutual understanding and friendship among our peoples," he said.
The forum concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to deepening Indonesia-Cambodia relations across diplomatic, economic, cultural, and social dimensions.
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