Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen received here this morning at the Peace Palace visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares.

According to H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Assistant to the Cambodian Premier, in the courtesy meeting, H.E.  Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares conveyed greetings from Timor-Leste’s leaders to Samdech Techo Hun Sen and expressed thanks to Cambodia for all its support for Timor-Leste.

H.E. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares lauded Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s heroism and leadership and highly valued Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s visit to Timor-Leste in 2016.

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the Timor-Leste’s leaders for their greetings and recalled that during his visit to Timor-Leste, he noted that the country was well prepared to be a member of ASEAN.

For bilateral cooperation, Samdech Techo Hun Sen urged both sides to further put more efforts to expand their cooperation in terms of economy, trade, tourism, investment and culture.

While presiding over the graduation ceremony of 3,161 new graduates of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) this morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said at the end of this year, an ASEAN special working group will be sent to Timor-Leste to evaluate whether the country is suitable enough to become a member of ASEAN.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen said for himself, he believed that Timor-Leste has enough ability to join ASEAN.

“[…] If we have not jumped into the water yet, why are we afraid that we cannot swim. Therefore, we have to try to jump into the water. Cambodia is the last country to join ASEAN, we really know this issue. […],” he underlined.