Senate president Say Chhum (right) meets with Czech Republic ambassador Martin Vivra at the Senate. SENATE
The Senate has requested that the new ambassador from the Czech Republic to Cambodia help to promote trade and investment exchanges between the two countries.
The request was made as Senate President Say Chhum met with Martin Vavra – the new extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Czech Republic – on June 8.
In a press release, the Senate said both sides appreciated the good relations, friendship and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries, which have all grown steadily over time.
“On this diplomatic mission, I believe that His Excellency the Ambassador will strive to promote long-standing relations and cooperation on all levels between our two countries to provide important benefits to our peoples in the present and in the future,” Say Chhum was quoted as saying in the press release.
“I request that [Vavra] help promote trade and investment exchanges in Cambodia and encourage the people of the Czech Republic to visit Cambodia alike, especially after Covid-19 ends,” he added.
In response, Vavra said: “On my diplomatic missions in Cambodia, I will do my best to further strength relations and cooperation between our two countries including in the economic sector, visit exchanges and especially encouraging more Czechian tourists to visit Cambodia.”
According to press release, the government of the Czech Republic had contributed to the socio-economic development in Cambodia by providing medical, educational and humanitarian assistance as well as investments in the renewable energy sector.
It said the Czech Republic also helped train human resources in Cambodia by granting scholarships to 300 Cambodian students to study there beginning in 1979. The students have been a positive force for building Cambodia’s society and economy in the past, present and into the future.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, was of the view that relations between the two countries are good but are not yet of any great strategic importance.
“When it comes to ties, they are good. But the levels of trade exchange or political and diplomatic cooperation aren’t anything special.
“Overall, in the political landscape, although the Czech Republic is within the EU framework, the country has expressed support for many stances Cambodia has taken relating to the Kingdom’s relations with the EU. So, overall ties are good – but not strategic or comprehensive,” Phea said.
He added that one reason the two countries have yet to develop comprehensive trade ties was because demand was still weak in the recovering post-pandemic economy.
“It is not because of the political situation or our geographical locations, it is because demand for trade is not strong. Just as Cambodia and Russia have good ties, but there isn’t very much trade with each other right now either,” Phea said.
According to the press release, Cambodia and the Czech Republic – then Czechoslovakia – established diplomatic ties back in 1956 under the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. This year marks the 65th anniversary for the establishment of Czech-Cambodian diplomatic relations.
