Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – Belarus-Cambodia relations have been making pretty good progress in recent years, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Anatoly Rubinov said as he met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on 24 April, BelTA has learnt.

Addressing Hun Sen, the Speaker expressed confidence that his visit will open up new opportunities for the bilateral cooperation. “Belarus is carrying out a multipronged foreign policy and we are particularly interested in expanding cooperation with Southeast Asia. Cambodia is one of our most important partners in the region. Our countries have common interests and there are no issues between them. We are glad that in recent years the cooperation between Belarus and Cambodia has become more vibrant,” Anatoly Rubinov said.

The Speaker reminded that the National Assembly of Belarus set up a working group to promote cooperation with the Cambodian parliament. This working group is expected to become an important tool to intensify contacts in all the walks of life. Anatoly Rubinov noted that Cambodia does not have such a group yet and expressed hope that it will be established in the near future. He emphasized the importance of cooperation within the framework of international organizations, like the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

Anatoly Rubinov noted that Hun Sen held talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Premier Mikhail Myasnikovich on 23 April during which a number of important documents were signed, in particular, six agreements and three memoranda of understanding. They include the intergovernmental agreement on mutual protection of investments, the intergovernmental cooperation agreement in trade and economy and the intergovernmental cooperation agreement in the defense industries, as well as a joint communique that clearly defines the cooperation targets. “We at the parliament will try to do our best to materialize these agreements,” he emphasized. Anatoly Rubinov expressed confidence that all the necessary documents will be ratified in Belarus and Cambodia soon.

Hun Sen thanked Belarus for the warm welcome and the support offered to the Cambodian delegation at various levels. He noted that Belarus signaled its readiness to promote all-round cooperation with Cambodia.

Belarus and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in 1995. In 2013 the bilateral trade totaled $6.3 million, nearly twice as much as in 2012. In January-February 2014, the bilateral trade exceeded $1.4 million, up 31.3% from the same period in 2013. Belarus’ major exports to Cambodia are tractors and potash fertilizers. Belarus also exported knitted fabric, component parts for vehicles and tractors, metal products, tires, furniture, instruments and equipment.