Minister of Interior Sar Kheng (right) shakes hands with new Thai ambassador to Cambodia Cherdkiat Atthakor on February 1. SAR KHENG VIA FB
The leadership of Cambodia and Thailand have always had an excellent relationship, and the two kingdoms cooperate closely in terms of politics, security and trade relations, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.
Sar Kheng made the remarks during his meeting with newly appointed Thai ambassador Cherdkiat Atthakor in Phnom Penh on February 1.
According to the minister’s social media post, Sar Kheng welcomed the appointment of the new envoy.
He offered his appreciation for the cooperation between the two countries, as well as within the ASEAN framework.
“The leaders of the two kingdoms have always had a close relationship. Our mutual support was especially evident during the fight against Covid-19,” he said.
Sar Kheng told the ambassador that he had personally co-chaired a meeting between the administrations of both nations’ provinces along the shared border.
“The meeting, which was co-chaired by my counterpart, the Thai Minister of Interior, was held in the spirit of working together to maintain security along the borders. We also had extensive discussions on joint development of the provinces on both sides of the border,” he said.
Cherdkiat recalled that he had worked in Cambodia 30 years ago and was honoured to have appointed to return.
“I have seen a great deal of development here. I would also like to congratulate Cambodia on its successful role as ASEAN chair in 2022,” he said.
“I also wish to congratulate Cambodia on its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as its subsequent reopening and socio-economic recovery,” he added.
During the meeting, Cherdkiat praised Sar Kheng’s leadership in the fight against transnational crime, especially telecommunications fraud and cross-border smuggling.
“These are issues which require regional cooperation to solve. If we want to see an end to these crimes, each stakeholder must work together,” he said.
They exchanged views on supporting Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand and continued close cooperation to suppress cross-border human trafficking.
