Jakarta, (Antara) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed gratitude while also lauding Indonesia's contribution to the reconciliation and peace building process in Cambodia through the Paris Peace Accord.
The statement was made when Sen received a visit from Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Pitono Purnomo, who will end his term in Phnom Penh by the end of November 2017.
"Cambodia will never forget Indonesia's role and significant contribution in achieving peace and reconciliation in our country," Sen told Purnomo in a press release made available to Antara, Thursday.
In order to improve bilateral relations between Indonesia and Cambodia, he also sought assistance from the Indonesian government to handle Cambodian fishermen working for several Thai fishing vessels that have been operating illegally in the Indonesian waters.
The two countries still have room for improvement in several fields, such as the re-run of the Joint Commission Meeting between Indonesia and Cambodia, the reciprocal visit of the Indonesian president to Cambodia after Sen had visited Indonesia to attend the Asia-Africa Conference commemoration in Bandung in April 2015, as well as the need to start direct flights between Jakarta and Phnom Penh in order to boost cooperation in economy and tourism and to enhance people-to-people ties.
During the hour-long meeting at the Peace Palace of Cambodia, Ambassador Purnomo lauded Cambodia for the mutual support arrangement for the nomination of the two countries in various international forums.
In the economic field, there has been an increase in year-on-year bilateral trade volume, and it had reached US$450 million in 2016, with Indonesia enjoying a surplus.
Cooperation in the field of defense is also going well, especially since the signing of a memorandum of understanding on October 24, 2017.
Cambodia, a country with a population of about 15 million, is a royal state that embraces liberal democracy, pluralism, and market economy.
The King of Cambodia serves as the head of state but does not rule. The government is led by the prime minister and assisted by ministers who are members of the Council of Ministers.
Indonesia's diplomatic relations with Cambodia have existed since 1957, and both countries had signed the Treaty of Friendship in Jakarta on February 13, 1959.
Since June 2, 2010, the two countries had signed a visa-free agreement for passport holders of both countries, with the aim of enhancing inter-community relations and increasing interaction between businesses to boost economic cooperation.
In a bid to develop cultural cooperation, Cambodia, along with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, had participated in a series of activities titled "Cultural Heritage Tourism Cooperation-Trail of Civilization" held in Yogyakarta in August 2006.
The initiative is the realization of the idea of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to develop "sister temple" cooperation with these countries.(*)
