Thai Prime Minister to visit to Cambodia June 12

BANGKOK, June 8 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) will officially visit Cambodia on Friday at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen to enhance the close and cordial ties and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva will be granted a royal audience with His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodia’s monarch. The Thai prime minister will hold bilateral talks with Mr. Hun Sen and will make courtesy visits with Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin. This visit is not just a goodwill visit, but is also a testimony of Thailand’s commitment to further strengthening of its bilateral relations and cooperation with Cambodia. The visit will show Thailand’s determination to find ways and means to resolve outstanding issues in a spirit of good neighbourliness and as members of the the Association of Southeast Asain Nations (ASEAN). The issues include land and maritime boundaries, cooperation on promoting peace and stability in border areas, development and use of land transport networks, energy cooperation, trade promotion, investment and tourism to collectively cope with the various challenges as a result of the global financial crisis. In addition, the two prime ministers will witness a ceremony to transfer seven pieces Khmer sculptures by Thailand’s minister of foreign affairs to a representative of the Government of Cambodia. The historic works of art hold religious and cultural significance smuggled from Cambodia which were seized by the Thai authorities. The return represents the application of an agreement between Cambodia and Thailand to counter illicit trafficking and cross-border smuggling of “Movable Cultural Property” and to restore such items to the country of origin, a pact which was signed on June 14, 2000. (TNA)