Sudary called to strengthen bilateral cooperation supported by existing political trust during her reception granted to the new Cuban ambassador to Cambodia, Milena Zaldívar.

The Cambodian official highlighted the historic ties of friendship and solidarity that unite both countries, based on the principles of mutual respect and the defense of independence, sovereignty, peace and honesty.

She described the state of bilateral relations as excellent, and ratified the permanent support of the Cambodian Legislature for the just causes defended by the Cuban people.

Zaldívar, in turn, noted the will shared by both States to implement bilateral agreements and consensus in the areas of health care, education, culture, diplomacy, agriculture and sports, in order to strengthen mutual cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.

Both parties also stressed the strength of interparliamentary ties and agreed on the need to promote dialogue through friendship groups, as well as programs that encourage people-to-people interaction, and agreed on the importance of addressing initiatives for the development of local cooperation programs or through the twinning of creative cities selected by UNESCO in Cuba and Cambodia.

This week, the Cuban ambassador paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, who reiterated the need to lift the United States blockade against Cuba.

Permanent support for Cuba is an expression of the rejection of the hostile policy imposed by the Government of the United States on Cuba, considering its marked extraterritorial nature and its effects on the development of Cuban society, the Cambodian official said.

Zaldívar took advantage of the occasion to ratify her gratitude for Cambodia’s countless expressions of solidarity for Cuba, and in particular the support for the fight against Washington’s blockade.

jg/llp/mem/mpm