Cambodia’s relationship with Indonesia marked during book launch

PHNOM PENH, Dec 22, 2019, The Khmer Times. Indonesian and Cambodian officials are confident relations will continue to move forward as they marked six decades of diplomatic ties during a book launch yesterday, The Khmer Times reported.

“I firmly believe that with the shared commitment and concerted efforts of the two governments and peoples, Cambodia-Indonesia cordial relations will continue to grow stronger and cooperation between the two nations will not only serve the best interests of our nations but also contributing the world a better place for all to share,” Eat Sophea, a secretary of state at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said during the launching of the book, Indonesia-Cambodia 60 years of Friendship: Moving forward.

The book consists of writings by Indonesians and Cambodians on advancing the relationship and moving forward.

Mayerfas, secretary-general of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, said Cambodia and Indonesia have gone through many important and historic events.

“I believe we have reaped many benefits of our strong cooperation. Many achievements are shown as a result of the hard work and interactions among our two peoples” Mr Mayerfas said. “Within the length of 60 years, our two friendly countries have gone through many important and historic events resulting in enhanced bilateral cooperation stronger partnership within Asean and as reliable partners in addressing various political, economic, and socio-cultural issues of common concern.”

Cambodia and Indonesia began its ties in 1959 after Cambodia got its independence in 1953.

Indonesia played an important role as host of the negotiation process leading up to the Paris Peace Accord in 1991. The island nation under President Suharto sent nearly 2,000 peacekeepers to the Kingdom as part of the UN operations in the early 1990s.

However, ties between both countries have needed revitalisation since the 1990s.

Ms Sophea said that the commemoration of the anniversary of diplomatic ties will further consolidate the spirit of solidarity and invigorate fruitful cooperation between the two nations and build on existing ties.

“This has provided firm ground for the two nations to further nurture friendship and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks,” she said. “People of Cambodia and Indonesia continue to cherish close friendship and resolve to work in concert to revitalise the excellent ties between the two nations.”

Ms Sophea said Cambodia values Indonesia’s contributions to peace.

“Peace, which allows Cambodia to develop as seen today, owes a great deal to Indonesia’s contribution, for which we remain grateful,” she said.

In 2018, trade between Cambodia and Indonesia reached $550 million.

During the first four months of this year, bilateral trade was valued at $196 million, a 10.4 percent increase.

In 2018, over 55,700 Indonesians visited Cambodia while almost 9,000 Cambodians travelled in the opposite direction.

Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Indonesia rose moderately last year, reaching $556 million in value, a four percent increase.

Although trade with Asean’s largest economy is still relatively small, trade officials see great potential in the economic relationship between the countries.

To celebrate its 60 years of the anniversary on the relationship, Cambodia and Indonesia launched its first direct flight from Phnom Penh to Jakarta by Citilink, hoping that it will increase people-to-people contact and increase trade of goods and services.

Indonesian Ambassador Sudirman Haseng said the relationship between the two countries will get stronger since the connection of direct flight.

“I am happy to remind that Indonesia-Cambodia is now connected with direct flight…It is indeed a wonderful gift for the 60th anniversary,” Mr Haseng said.

Sok Touch, President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia said the two countries need to strengthen political and economic relationships since trade volume and tourism numbers are still low.

Mr Touch suggests the two countries push the agricultural and tourism sectors since they have historical sites: Angkor Wat and Borobudur.

He noted Education is also a point to promote as well.

“Even if the two countries have strong historic relations, they need to work more to enhance mutual and regional relations,” Mr Touch said. “Cambodia needs to work closely with Indonesia because Indonesia can be a big market for Cambodian products.”