Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport Dominique Hasler (centre) arrives at Phnom Penh International Airport on February 29. MFAIC
Liechtenstein's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sports Dominique Hasler is paying a three-day official visit to Cambodia, with a view the strengthening bilateral cooperation on education development and vocational training.
The visit follows an invitation from Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea.
During the February 29 to March 2 visit, Hasler will meet with Chenda Sophea to discuss various fields of cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of common interest and concern.
In addition, the two foreign ministers will sign a Framework Agreement between the governments of Cambodia and Liechtenstein, said a February 28 press release from the Cambodian foreign ministry.
In addition, Hasler will meet for separate talks with Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron and Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour, to promote closer cooperation in thee education and vocational training sectors of both countries.
She will also visit several projects which are supported by the Liechtenstein Development Service in Cambodia.
“Hasler’s official visit to Cambodia is a significant milestone in the amicable relations between the two countries and aims to enhance cooperation, for the benefit of both peoples,” added the foreign ministry.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, believed the visit of the Liechtensteiner foreign minister made an important contribution to the government’s diplomatic interests.
He noted that the seventh-mandate government is seeking to diversify international relations, in order to benefit trade and economic development.
He added that no matter how small or large a country, it is important that Cambodia increase its relationships.
“By diversifying its diplomacy and focusing on forming new relationships with more countries, we can benefit politically, as well as in terms of trade and tourism,” he said.
He considered the diplomatic step between Cambodia and Liechtenstein to be a positive sign of the new government’s policy.
Phea also noted that all countries are important when it comes to many international mechanisms, such as the UN, where even the smallest country has an equal voice, and can support Cambodia on the international stage.
Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe, with an area of just 160sq km, and an estimated population of nearly 40,000.
In September last year, Cambodia and the small German-speaking nation agreed to push for the signing of a framework agreement in the field of vocational training, so Liechtenstein can begin providing assistance to Cambodia. The agreement was reached during a working meeting between Chenda Sophea and Hasler, who met in the US.
