The Maldives and Cambodia have signed agreements in six areas demonstrating a pivotal point of progress in bilateral relations between the two countries. The agreements were signed during the official visit of Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen to the Maldives at the invitation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is his first official visit to the Maldives.
During the agreement exchange ceremony held at the President's Office, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen presided over the signing of the agreements, including the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic, Official, and Ordinary Passports and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Consultations signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhon. The agreement will ease existing travel restrictions for holders of diplomatic, official, and ordinary passports of both the Maldives and Cambodia and strengthen the socio-economic relationship between the countries, and the MoU will invite discussions to build relationships between the Maldives and Cambodia in various fields.
Furthermore, the Agreement on Economic Cooperation was signed by the Minister of Economic Development of the Maldives Fayyaz Ismail, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhon. The agreement seeks to strengthen, promote, and develop economic cooperation between the Maldives and Cambodia based on equality and mutual benefit.
Additionally, an MoU on Health Cooperation was signed by the Minister of Health of the Maldives Ahmed Naseem, and the Minister of Health of Cambodia Professor MAM Bunheng. The agreement will assist the Maldives in seeking support to enhance healthcare facilities, train healthcare professionals, and carry out prevention and advocacy programmes.
Meanwhile, the MoU on Tourism Cooperation was signed by the Minister of Tourism of the Maldives Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, and the Minister of Tourism of Cambodia Thong Khon. The agreement will help advertise tourism, provide training, further investment opportunities, and facilitate travel between the Maldives and Cambodia.
The last agreement signed was the MoU signed by the board member of Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) Mohamed Ikram Ibrahim and the President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce Neak Oknh Kith Men. The agreement will open possibilities for building trade relations, increasing trade, expanding investments, and further enhancing industrial, business, and economic cooperation between the Maldives and Cambodia.
In a press statement after the signing of the six agreements, President Solih said the relevant parties will hold discussions in the near future to implement the agreements.