Cambodia, Russia sign 10 cooperation agreements

Cambodia and Russia on Tuesday reached 10 agreements, aiming to promote ties and cooperation between the two countries, according to an announcement at the signing ceremony here.

The pacts were signed by senior officials of the two countries at the Peace Palace under the presence of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and visiting Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The deals included cooperation in nuclear power technologies for peaceful development, information exchange on money laundering and terrorism financing, air transport services, investment, information, culture, and health.

Also, an agreement on cooperation between the ruling Cambodian People's Party and the ruling United Russia party was signed.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the two prime ministers held a 90-minute talk, vowing to enhance bilateral ties and cooperation for the benefits of two countries and peoples, Eang Sophalleth, a spokesman for Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting.

He said Hun Sen asked Medvedev to encourage more Russian investors to Cambodia and also urged Russia to operate direct flights to Cambodia.

In addition, the prime minister also proposed that Russia purchase Cambodian rice and garment products.

"In response, the Russian prime minister agreed with Prime Minister Hun Sen's proposals, saying that the proposals were important to enhance cooperation in industries, energy, information technology, agriculture, and tourism between the two countries," the spokesman said.

The two leaders also discussed the debt that Cambodia owed Russia in the 1980s, but no decision was made yet, he said.

Medvedev arrived in Cambodia on Sunday for a three-day visit. During his stay, he had also visited the famed Angkor Wat Temple in northwestern Siem Reap province. Endit