Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 16 – Outgoing Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Maria Amelita C. Aquino commended progress and achievements of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Her appreciation was made during a farewell call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday (Feb. 16) at the Peace Palace.

Ambassador Maria thanked Samdech Thipadei for allowing her and her delegation to pay a farewell call. She also extended her congratulations to Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on his appointment as Cambodian Prime Minister. Additionally, she acknowledged the Royal Government's relentless efforts in combating COVID19 and thanked them for donating COVID19 vaccines to foreigners living and working in the kingdom without discrimination.

The ambassador also praised Cambodia's successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit and related summits, the 32nd SEA Games, and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. She also lauded Cambodia's significant contributions to world peacekeeping missions through the deployment of peacekeepers under the United Nations framework. Furthermore, she highlighted the accomplishments in diplomatic missions and cooperation between the two countries during her tenure, particularly in trade, rice exports from Cambodia to the Philippines, fostering people-to-people ties, cooperation in demining, tourism, defence, and enhancing Cambodian-Philippine business relations.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei welcomed Ambassador Maria and her delegation. The premier commended her diplomatic mission to boost cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Regarding trade, Samdech Thipadei encouraged further cooperation between the private sector and the business community of the two countries.

Regarding tourism, Samdech Thipadei hoped that through his recent meeting with the President of the Philippines, the tourism connection between the two countries will be further improved, especially the expansion of direct flights from other tourist destinations in the Philippines to Cambodia. Additionally, the premier expressed his desire for strengthened defence cooperation, particularly between the two countries' armies, through exchanges of experiences and human resources training.
=FRESH NEWS