Phnom Penh: Prime Minister Hun Sen has officially welcomed the newly-appointed Czech Republic Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Martin Vávra. They posed for a photograph on Monday morning, prior to their courtesy meeting at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, where the Ambassador presented his credentials.

Prime Minister Hun Sen's personal assistant, Mr. Eang Sopalleth, says during the meeting the Czech Ambassador informed the prime minister that his current mission was to strengthen and expand the relationship between the two countries. He added that the Czech Republic is “passionate” about Cambodia.

The Ambassador promised the Prime Minister that he would make efforts to promote cooperation in politics, the economy, trade and investment. He also pledged that the Czech Republic will be assisting Cambodia in human resource development, particularly.

The Prime Minister thanked the people and government of the Czech Republic for their past assistance to Cambodia, which has included the construction of schools and other infrastructure. The Prime Minister requested that the Ambassador now focus on promoting cooperation in the trade and investment as Cambodia works hard to emerge from the pandemic, as it drives to vaccinate 10-million of its adult population by November. He concluded by wishing the Ambassador success as he begins his diplomatic mission to the country.

Cambodia has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Czech Republic. The former Czechoslovakia first opened an embassy in Phnom Penh in 1957, a year after diplomatic ties were first established.