PHNOM PENH: The President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste arrived in Phnom Penh close to 10 am on Tuesday morning, 19 October, along with an accompanying high-level delegation, for a three-day official state visit to Cambodia.

The arrival of the President of Timor-Leste, José Manuel Ramos-Horta, was welcomed by the Minister of the Royal Palace, Kong Sam Ol, and the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Chea VanDeth.

According to a press release issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the President of Timor-Leste will pay a state visit to Cambodia at the invitation of His Majesty the King of Cambodia.

President Ramos-Horta will pay a courtesy visit to the King of Cambodia at the Royal Palace, lay wreaths at the Independence Monument and place flower baskets at the statue of the Former King of Cambodia.

He will also meet with the President of the Senate, Say Chhum, the President of the National Assembly, Heng Samrin, and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Prime Minister of Cambodia and the President of Timor-Leste will also preside over the signing of two important bilateral documents: The Aviation Services Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding on Rice Trade Between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

President Ramos-Horta will also meet with the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet. He is also expected to give public lectures at renowned universities in Phnom Penh, interviews with the local media, and address the first Cambodia-Timor-Leste Forum on Tourism and Business for Sustainable Development and Peace.

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it considers the visit of President José Manuel Ramos-Horta to be a positive sign of further deepening relations and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks for the mutual benefit of Cambodia and Timor-Leste.