Cambodian and Turkish diplomats expressed their satisfaction and approval over some positive developments that will open the way to boosting trade relations between the two countries, especially for the sectors that have not yet met their potential relative to either market.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and newly appointed Turkish ambassador to Cambodia Ulku Kocaefe met together on September 1, according to the foreign affairs ministry press statement.

Both diplomats praised the decision by the Turkish government to establish the Office of the Counselor for Commercial Affairs at their embassy in Phnom Penh, enactment of the agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment, signing the agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation, as well as the third meeting of their Joint Economic Commission, which will be held in Cambodia on October 19-20.

During the meeting, Sokhonn and Kocaefe also discussed coming up with new ways to tap into areas for cooperation and they agreed to expedite the issuance of some pending documents needed to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Sokhonn told Kocaefe that Cambodia was ready to host the third political consultations meetings planned between their countries in the upcoming months.

He also thanked the Turkish government for its provision of assistance in the areas of rural development, education, health and a housing project. The aid was disbursed through programmes run by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA ) in Saang district of Kandal province.

Kocaefe said he appreciated the job Cambodia had managed to do despite many obstacles during its ASEAN Chairmanship and he commended Cambodia for successfully managing every controversial issue and challenge by meeting them all head-on while hosting the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) and related meetings in early August.