In a significant development, Cambodia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister SOK Chenda Sophea, met with his Brazilian counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, on 11 October 2023, during the latter’s official visit to the Kingdom. The productive bilateral meeting underscored the strong foundation of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting saw both sides express satisfaction with the positive momentum in their thriving ties, with Deputy Prime Minister SOK Chenda Sophea briefing Minister Mauro Vieira on the ongoing preparations for the upcoming establishment of Cambodia’s Royal Embassy in Brasilia. The Cambodian government thanked Brazil for facilitating this process, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
In response, Minister Mauro Vieira announced that Brazil plans to open its own embassy in Phnom Penh next year, highlighting Cambodia’s importance as a key partner in the region. Furthermore, he revealed that a Brazilian trade mission is scheduled to visit Cambodia in 2024, aiming to enhance economic cooperation and promote mutual understanding.
Both Foreign Ministers agreed to explore possibilities of negotiating an Agreement on Cooperation and Facilitation of Investment as soon as possible. They also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, education, and diplomatic institute cooperation. This includes enhancing technical collaboration and supporting peacebuilding efforts.
The meeting coincided with the 30th anniversary of Cambodia’s diplomatic relations with Brazil, a significant milestone in their partnership. The two countries have consistently demonstrated their commitment to deepening friendly bilateral ties and multifaceted cooperation for the common benefit of stability, development, and prosperity of their respective people.
Notably, the meeting also touched on regional and international issues of shared interest and concern. Despite geographical distance, Cambodia and Brazil reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to further strengthening their partnership and promoting peace, stability, and economic growth in the region.
The strong bilateral ties between Cambodia and Brazil underscore the growing importance of regional cooperation in addressing global challenges. As Cambodia continues to play a proactive role in ASEAN affairs and international diplomacy, its relations with key partners like Brazil will be crucial in shaping the future of regional and global governance.
With the establishment of new diplomatic channels and increased economic cooperation on the horizon, Cambodia’s role as a bridge between East Asia and Latin America is likely to grow. As bilateral ties continue to flourish, both countries can expect to reap the benefits of their partnership, including enhanced trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.