Bangladesh, Cambodia seek new areas of cooperation

Bangladesh and Cambodia have decided to set up a “joint commission” to promote bilateral ties as the two countries eye to deepen cooperation for regional peace, stability and prosperity.

According to a joint statement issued after the talks between the two prime ministers in Dhaka on Tuesday, the joint commission would identify “new areas of cooperation and coordinate and deepen existing cooperation in various areas”.

An agreement has also been signed in presence of Sheikh Hasina and her visiting counterpart Hun Sen.

Hun Sen arrived in Dhaka on Monday and would leave on Wednesday morning.

During his visit, Dhaka and Phnom Penh have signed three agreements including investment promotion and cultural cooperation and signed a MoU for agricultural cooperation.

They also agreed to establish a Joint Trade Council in the spirit of the current trade agreement.

Bangladesh has decided to hold a single country fair in Cambodia next year that the visiting prime minister welcomed.

Hun Sen appreciated Bangladesh’s constructive role and initiatives in “promoting regional peace, stability and progress in the region”.

He also welcomed Bangladesh's “close cooperation and engagement” with ASEAN member states and acknowledged Bangladesh's “deep interest in elevating the relationship to a level of dialogue partnership in ASEAN”.

Cambodia is a member of the strong Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Hun Sen acknowledged the “request of Bangladesh to accord a favourable consideration to Bangladesh’s joining the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation”.

The two prime ministers agreed to forge close cooperation in the UN, NAM, and WTO and in other international fora on issues of mutual interest.

They supported the call upon the developed countries to grant duty-free quota-free market access to all products and services of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to ensure sustainable development.