Cambodian PM meets Russian FM over ties

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R) meets with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Aug. 4, 2022. (Photo by Kok Ky/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Thursday met here with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on bilateral ties and cooperation, a senior official said.

Lavrov is in Cambodia for the ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.

"Lavrov briefed the prime minister on the situation and Russia's position on the Ukraine conflict, and stressed the need to further strengthen and expand existing cooperation with Cambodia in tourism and investment, among others," Eang Sophalleth, a personal assistant to Hun Sen, told reporters.

For his part, Hun Sen thanked Lavrov for briefing him on Russia's position on the conflict, Sophalleth said.

The Cambodian leader also thanked Lavrov for bringing along COVID-19 vaccines for Cambodia.

"The prime minister also agreed with Lavrov on strengthening relations and cooperation between the two countries," the assistant said.

On the Ukraine issue, Hun Sen said Cambodia wishes to see solutions through peaceful dialogues.

Both sides agreed that the Cambodia-Russia intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation will be a key platform for the two countries to broaden bilateral cooperation in various fields, he added.