Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea said, “There are no words to describe what is happening in Gaza right now. I cannot find words to describe such a tragedy. We hope that with Turkey’s contributions, this tragedy will come to an end.”
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok spoke at the joint press conference organized after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Stating that this is his first visit outside the Asian continent, Sok said that there are great bilateral relations and cooperation between Turkey and Cambodia.
“We have come here to strengthen our great ties and to carry our friendship and cooperation to a much better point and this is our intention,” said Sok, adding that his visit comes at the right time when they are celebrating the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations.
Stating that they had the opportunity to talk in detail on many issues with his counterpart Fidan today, Sok said that they would be very pleased to have mutual high-level visits.
The Cambodian Minister emphasized that they aim to strengthen cooperation with the visits to be attended by administrative and legislative bodies and said, “This morning we had the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Chairman of the AK Party. Again, we had invited the distinguished gentleman to a conference in Cambodia. Thanks to them, they accepted.”
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is expected to visit Cambodia “in the not too distant future” Noting that he will visit Turkey, Sok underlined that parliamentarians also want to come together to strengthen relations and continue cooperation.
Sok noted that there is a “potential that can be realized” in the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Cambodia and that the leaders will carry the cooperation between the two countries even further with their goals.
“God willing, there will be direct flights between Cambodia and Turkey”
Pointing out the need for direct flights between Turkey and Cambodia, Minister Sok said, “We also have full faith that Turkish Airlines will also establish a direct flight. Hopefully, with your support, there will be a direct flight between Cambodia and Turkey. This, of course, will support cargo transportation, but it will also bring the trade and business world together and bring easier cooperation.”
The Cambodian Minister said that they will also discuss various issues in his meetings with Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and that economic partnership efforts will gain momentum in the near future.
Reminding that they came together with the business world in Istanbul within the scope of his visit, Sok said, “We hope that our relations will be on a much more successful ground by strengthening the ties between people and the business world both in Turkey and Cambodia. These collaborations, which we think will also have an impact on our rural development plans, will provide us with very good opportunities in agriculture, education and halal certification.”
Minister Sok expressed support for Turkey’s intention to work more closely with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Palestine should be a full member of the United Nations”
Referring to Gaza and Rafah, Sok said, “Unfortunately, there are no words to describe what is happening in Gaza right now in a very dramatic way. I cannot find words to describe such a tragedy. We hope that with Turkey’s contributions, this tragedy will come to an end.”
Sok emphasized that Cambodia defends the two-state solution and the pre-1967 borders of Palestine and said, “Regardless of what is said at the United Nations, Palestine should be a full member of the United Nations. I know that you are doing your best in this regard.”
“Turkey is a very important country for the region”
Emphasizing that peace efforts are currently progressing within the framework of Gaza and Rafah, but Turkey has always been active in this regard, Minister Sok said, “We know that Turkey is doing its best to end the conflict and war in Ukraine. It was a very successful diplomatic meeting.”
Pointing out the importance of Turkey, Sok said:
“When we look from afar, we see what Turkey is doing for its own citizens, how it is developing its own country, but beyond that, Turkey is a very important country for the region. This actually teaches us some lessons. That is why we want to cooperate and work closely with Turkey.”
The Cambodian Minister underlined that “there is a need to work closely with Turkey” through bilateral regional or international cooperation.
