Baku:President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan welcomed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to Azerbaijan, marking the beginning of an official visit that also coincides with the CICA Summit. President Aliyev expressed hope for fruitful discussions and emphasized the importance of personal participation in fostering bilateral relations.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, President Aliyev highlighted the strong political ties between the two countries, noting their active cooperation in international organizations such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and CICA. He also pointed to opportunities for enhancing trade and investment relations, despite challenges such as distance and lack of information. A joint working group has been established to explore these avenues further.
Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed gratitude for the hospitality and invitation to the summit. He concurred with President Aliyev on the potential to enhance trade relations and mentioned three agreements signed to boost cooperation in trade, education, and other areas. Past visits, including one by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2014, have laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration.
Both leaders expressed a commitment to expanding their countries’ cooperation on a multilateral level, with Cambodia supporting Azerbaijan’s observer status in ASEAN. The discussions also touched upon topics such as defense, security, education, and civil aviation, with plans to develop a framework agreement for a joint trade working group.
The two leaders acknowledged shared challenges, such as the issue of landmines, and underscored the importance of peace and security in development. The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and open new avenues for economic and cultural exchanges between Azerbaijan and Cambodia.