Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, led a high delegation to pay an official visit to and attend the “41st anniversary of the founding of the liberation forces, FALINTIL Day” in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Lesté from 19 to 20 August 2016, at the invitation of His Excellency Dr. Rui Maria dé Araújo, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Lesté.

During the official visit, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen held bilateral talks on 19 August with H.E. Dr. Rui Maria dé Araújo focusing on the promotion of the relations of friendship and cooperation in all fields between the two countries as well as on regional and international issues of common interests and concerns.

\r\nBoth Primes Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 29 July 2002, particularly the state visit in 2011 by H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, who was then President, and the official visit in 2013 by H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, who was then Prime Minister of Timor-Lesté as well as the signing during that visit of the Memorandum of Understanding on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation.

\r\nSamdech Techo Hun Sen informed H.E. Dr. Rui Maria dé Araújo of the appointment of Cambodia’s non-resident Ambassador to Timor-Lesté.

Both sides shared the views to encourage the implementation of the MOU on Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation signed in 2013 and the meeting between the Chamber of Commerce of the two countries in order to promote the bilateral trade exchanges.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen offered 10 scholarships each year to Timor-Lesté’s students to study in University of Cambodia and instructed the Ministry of Education of both countries to discuss about their cooperation.

\r\nSamdech Techo Hun Sen proposed to Timor-Lesté Prime Minister to consider importing Cambodian rice that has been awarded the world best rice in 3 consecutive years2012, 2013 and 2014.

\r\nSamdech Techo Hun Sen renewed Cambodia’s active support to Timor-Lesté to become ASEAN member. Samdech Techo also made known to Timor-Lesté Prime Ministerabout Cambodia’s readiness to provide Timor-Lesté with technical assistance and experiences for the latter’s preparation to become member of World Trade Organization (WTO) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as requested by both organizations to the Cambodian government.

\r\nSamdech Techo Hun Sen reiterated his invitation to Timor-Lesté’s Prime Minister to visit Cambodia and attend the 26th ASEAN Economic Forum to be held in Cambodia in 2017.

\r\nAfter the bilateral talks, both Prime Ministers presided over the signing ceremony of the three following documents between the two countries:\r\n1- Framework Agreement on Technical and Economic Cooperation that covers many fields, including industry, tourism, agriculture, oil and gas, vocational training and education.\r\n2- Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports.\r\n3- Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Cooperation in the Field of Labour.

\r\nOn 20 August, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen participated in the\r\ncommemoration of the “41st anniversary of the founding of the liberation forces,\r\nFALINTIL Day”.

\r\nWhile in Timor-Lesté, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen was warmly welcomed by the Cambodian community in a cordial meeting held on 20 August.

\r\nAlso during the visit, Ministers of Commerce and Chambers of Commerce of both countries agreed to push for the signing in the near future of an MOU on cooperation between the two Chambers of Commerce.

\r\nPhnom Penh, 21 August 2016