PHNOM PENH, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Singapore have vowed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era for mutual benefits, both sides said in separate statements released late Wednesday.
The commitment was made while Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan paid a two-day visit to Cambodia, and called on Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Wednesday.
"They reaffirmed the warm and longstanding ties between Singapore and Cambodia, and committed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation as both countries work towards post-COVID-19 recovery," Singapore's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Balakrishnan congratulated Hun Sen on Cambodia's successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years, while Hun Sen welcomed the growing economic linkages and more Singapore investments, particularly in infrastructure and cold-chain logistics, the statement said.
They also agreed that it was important to foster more trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, it said, adding that Hun Sen looked forward to the early resumption of safe travel in the region.
On Tuesday, Balakrishnan also held talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, discussing ways to advance bilateral cooperation in multifaceted areas, Cambodia's foreign ministry said in a separate statement.
With respect to trade and investment cooperation, the two sides noted with satisfaction the positive and growing two-ways trade despite challenges posed by COVID-19, the statement said.
"In order to sustain this positive momentum, the two ministers agreed to urge the relevant ministries and agencies to double their efforts to further promote the cooperation in this area," it added.
According to the statement, Sokhonn said Singapore's investment ranked fourth in the investment flow to Cambodia in 2021 and encouraged more Singapore's investment, especially in the areas of fintech, innovation, digital and green economic and agro-industries.
The two ministers also emphasized the importance of the tourism sector and the cooperation in mutually recognized vaccines certificates.
The statement added that they were delighted to note that there are regular flights in operation between Cambodia and Singapore due to the high percentage of vaccinated population in the two countries and the effective control of COVID-19.
Both sides also emphasized the importance of strengthening the security and defense cooperation through exchanging visits by high-ranking military and police officials, it said. ■