INTERNATIONAL: A delegation from Czech Republic lead by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jiří Kozák visited Cambodia in a mission to start cooperating with Cambodia even further.

The Deputy Foreign Minister Jiří Kozák brought a delegation of business men from Czech Republic to further cooperation between the two countries.

During the Deputy Foreign Minister visit also met with HE Dr. CHEM Widhya, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Both sides noted with deep satisfaction the traditional excellent bonds of friendship and flourishing cooperation between the two countries. They have expressed their firm commitment to further enhancing across-the-board mutually beneficial cooperation.

H.E. Dr. CHEM Widhya expressed the deep gratitude of the Royal Government and the People of Cambodia to the Czech Government and People for the generous development assistance for Cambodia over the years since the liberation of the Cambodian people from the genocide regime of Pol Pot.

During their discussions, both sides reviewed existing cooperation schemes. They exchanged views on ways and means to further elevate bilateral ties from development cooperation to a strong partnership.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Czech Republic mentioned the relationship goes back in history. Cambodia has been one of the priority countries for Czech Republic. We've done many projects of development in Cambodia. Now he felt is the time to start cooperating with Cambodia even further.

“That's why I'm here with a group of business men who are looking for partnerships with Cambodian companies.”

 “The relationship goes back in history. Cambodia has been one of the priority countries for Czech Republic. And we've done many projects of development cooperation here in Cambodia, but now we feel it’s time to start cooperating with Cambodia even further, “That's why I'm here with a group of business men who are looking opportunity’s for partnerships with Cambodian companies.”

Deputy Foreign Minister also congregated the Ministry of health on how they did during the pandemic how they succeeded.

“After the pandemic, the healthcare systems have been stretched and they have been tested to the limits and Cambodia has done really well. I congratulate the state secretary and the Ministry of Health this afternoon for how they did during the pandemic or how they succeeded.”

He also mentioned during their meeting with the Ministry they spoke about helping further in the medical industry with children, rural areas and in maternity care, where Czech Republic companies have expertise in.

 “We were talking about cooperation, for example, in taking care of kids in hospitals. But also we talked about cooperation in rural areas because the Czech companies offer solutions for rural areas where the hospital care, medical care, can be provided quite quickly. We have solutions which can be deployed within days.”

Petra Ford the vice president of the association of Manufacturers and Producers of Hospital Devices of the Czech Republic. Mentioned he was delighted to be networking to be able to get new connections and be successful in Cambodia in the near future.

“We are delighted, obviously, to network. Czech Republic is a medium sized country in Europe, and we are a great producer of medical devices. And this is the way for us how to network, how to get new connections, and how to be successful in Cambodia in the future.”

Petra mentioned they had just donated six beds from associated companies called Lynette to the pediatric department worth €100,000.

 “We are working with the children Hospital in Cambodia and we have donated today six beds from one of the associated companies called Lynette to the pediatric department. And we hope that these products are going to be showcasing the quality of a European supplier.”

“The donation was about €100,000.”

“The Cambridge National Children's Hospital with the pediatric hospital, why we have chosen this hospital is because we do have as well an education program that is financed by the Czech government. And basically we want to link the education to usage of the equipment as well.”

At the end of the consultations, both sides expressed the strong interest in continuing the Dialogue through Bilateral Consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, which are an effective mechanism for the follow up of agreed activities to further deepen the bilateral relations in all fields. The meeting was held successfully in a cordial and fruitful atmosphere. The Third Session of the Bilateral

Consultations will be held in the Czech Republic.