PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, met with the new Pakistani Ambassador to Cambodia, Zaheeruddin Babar Thaheem, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, where he expressed his future intention to establish a Cambodian Embassy in Pakistan, discussing the possibility of coordinating further exchanges between the two countries for this purpose.
During the meeting, both noted with satisfaction the growing good relations between Cambodia and Pakistan, with the exchange of high-level visits between leaders, and the two sides agreed to further strengthen and expand relations and cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, tourism, education and defense.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan is expected to visit Cambodia at the end of 2022, which will mark an opportunity to further enhance relations between the two countries.
Since relations between Cambodia and Pakistan have become stronger, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed his desire to open a Cambodian embassy in Pakistan in the future. He said he hopes that the new Pakistani Ambassador would further enhance bilateral ties and cooperation, and reaffirmed the Cambodian Foreign Ministry's readiness to fully cooperate with the Ambassador to complete the mission of opening an embassy in Pakistan successfully.
In response, the Pakistani Ambassador stressed that he would work to further strengthen and expand bilateral relations during his diplomatic mission, and also congratulated Cambodia for assuming the 2022 ASEAN Chairmanship. He added that he hopes the Deputy Prime Minister would succeed in his role as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, especially in regard to finding a solution to the ongoing Myanmar crisis.
Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhon wrote on his official Facebook page saying that he was pleased with the state of relations between Cambodia and Pakistan and he looks forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries coming up in May 2022, and for the official visit of the Pakistani Foreign Minister.
He wrote, "Cambodia and Pakistan look forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in May this year with a number of joint activities and programs. In addition, Cambodia hopes that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, His Excellency Shah Mehmood Qureshi, will be able to pay an official visit to Cambodia in the spirit of enhancing our bilateral relations."
Diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Pakistan began on 28 May 1952 and have lasted for 70 years. Pakistan has its embassy in Phnom Penh, while Cambodia has an honorary consulate in Lahore, Pakistan.
