Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira (left) exchanges symbolic Asean handshakes with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi and Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn on Oct 9, ahead of his visit to Cambodia on Oct 10. - ASEAN SECRETARIATE
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Brazilian minister of foreign affairs Mauro Vieira has kicked off his three-day official visit to Cambodia. The Oct 10-12 visit aims to bolster and widen current bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and joint technical efforts.
The visit follows an invitation by deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sok Chenda Sophea, according to an Oct 10 press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The statement announced plans for a meeting between the ministers to set out a strategy to augment the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Vieira is set to pay a courtesy call to Prime Minister Hun Manet, seeking to reaffirm the mutual dedication of both countries towards fortifying and broadening their ties.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), said the visit offers a positive indication, serving as a foundation to enhance collaboration between the two countries.
“This visit is an ideal opportunity for both nations to investigate how to solidify their cooperation framework. Cambodia and Brazil maintain strong relations regardless of global, bilateral or other multilateral stances. It is an excellent chance to further our ties with Brazil as part of our diplomatic diversification,” he said.
Hong Vannak, an economist at RAC’s Institute of International Relations, noted that despite establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1994, bilateral trade volumes have remained modest, fluctuating between $50 and $60 million.
He noted the recent improvement in relations, however, as both nations have pledged to foster collaboration, especially in the technology and agriculture sectors, following the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
“I’m optimistic that this visit will elevate and fortify economic and trade relations, capitalising on previously signed agreements and boosting trade volume,” he added.
