Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 31  – In front of more than 150 students of University of Cambodia,  Santo Darmosumarto, Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, elaborated on the past, present, and potential future of Indonesia-Cambodia relations.

“I really want all of you, as the future of our bilateral cooperation, to understand our close historical ties in order to build a stronger, more concrete, win-win cooperation in the years to come”, stated Ambassador Santo. He highlighted that while G-to-G linkages are strong, there is ample of room for promoting p-to-p collaborations.

Today’s event at University of Cambodia kick-starts a series of public lectures that the Embassy will conduct in universities and think tanks around Cambodia this year, as the two nations commemorate 65 years of diplomatic relations. University of Cambodia recently established cooperation with Universitas Negeri Malang in Indonesia to promote academic exchanges between the two countries.

“These days, we see Cambodian youths looking for inspiration in far places like Japan, South Korea, North America, and Europe. The same can be said of the young people in Indonesia. However, interactions among ASEAN youths are no less fascinating and inspiring. There is so much to learn from one another”, expressed Ambassador Santo during the lecture.

A student majoring in international relations inquired Ambassador Santo on how to become a good diplomat, to which he explained: “Read as much as you can, understand what’s going on around the world, and be excited about learning new things, especially foreign languages”. The Ambassador, who also majored in international relations and foreign languages, encouraged students to travel to Indonesia and understand the various similarities between the two cultures.

Officials from the University conveyed the interest of University of Cambodia to develop a Bahasa Indonesia Language Program. This is spurred by growing interest among the students to learn the language that is spoken among at least a third of the ASEAN population.

This year marks 65 years since Indonesia and Cambodia signed the Treaty of Friendship, thus sealing diplomatic relations between the then two young nations. To commemorate this occasion, the Embassy and relevant agencies in the Cambodian Government will be organizing events and programs throughout the year involving local youths, communities, academics, media, and businesses. 
=FRESH NEWS