Cambodia, Slovakia hold 1st talks to discuss bilateral ties, int'l matters

 The first consultative meeting between Cambodia and Slovakia was held here on Tuesday to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties and exchange views on regional and international issues.

The meeting was co-chaired by Cambodian Secretary of State for Foreign Ministry Ouch Borith and the visiting Slovakian Deputy Foreign Minister Peter Burian.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ouch Borith said on bilateral relations, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in politics, economics, trade, tourism and education.

He said, in the meeting, he presented the Slovakian delegation about Cambodia's four major sectors supporting the economic growth - garment industry, tourism, real estate, construction, and agriculture.

He appealed to Slovakian investors to consider investing in tourism and agriculture because the two sectors still have much room to grow.

Burian also pledged to encourage Slovakian investors to mull investment in Cambodia's tourism and agriculture, adding that the two countries should establish a joint economic commission to determine specific priority sectors for future cooperation.

Cambodia and Slovakia forged diplomatic ties in 1997.

To date, bilateral trade and investment ties remain relatively small, and on tourism side, some 1,700 Slovakians visited Cambodia last year, up 34 percent year-on-year, according to a tourism report.

During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues, especially on the Korean peninsula dispute and Iran's nuclear weapon program.

"We, both sides, expressed our concerns over the current situation in the Korean peninsula and agreed to appeal to all concerned parties to exercise utmost restraint, and they should return to the six-party talks to seek peaceful resolutions," said Ouch Borith.

Sourced: Cambodia News