An official reception dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan with the Kingdom of Cambodia was held in Phnom Penh

On November 22, 2024, in connection with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan with the Kingdom of Cambodia, an official reception was held in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, with the cooperation of the Embassy of Turkey in Cambodia by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan accredited in Cambodia.

The event was attended by the Cambodian Minister of Tourism Mr. Huot Hak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Khuon Phon Rattanak, employees of state institutions of Cambodia, Cambodian alumni in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, ambassadors and employees of embassies acting in Cambodia, media representatives, Azerbaijani and Kazakh compatriots. Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Konul Nurullayeva took part in the event as a special guest.

The event began with a live performance of the national anthems by representatives of the three countries.

Then Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Cambodia Mr. Shovgi Mehdizade talked about the history of 30-year relations between the two countries and emphasized that relations are developing in many spheres. He highlighted the visit of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen to Azerbaijan in 2014 and the first official visit of the delegation led by the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mrs. Sahiba Gafarova to the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2022. The Ambassador informed the participants of the event that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni on the occasion of Independence Day of the Kingdom of Cambodia on November 9.

The Ambassador expressed satisfaction that Cambodia participated in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) with a large delegation of 110 people, that the Cambodia-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group was established by the decision of the National Assembly of Cambodia, and that there is an initiative to establish the Cambodia-Azerbaijan Friendship Association of Cambodians who previously studied in Azerbaijan.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Cambodia Mr. Kanat Tomyush spoke about relations between the countries and said that historically, many Cambodians during the Soviet period were educated in universities in Kazakhstan and that in October 2024, Kazakhstan opened direct flights of SCAT airline from Almaty to Sihanoukville. The Ambassador noted that the President of the Senate has been invited to Kazakhstan for the Astana International Forum in the end of May 2025. Kazakhstan plans to translate into Khmer language the treatise of Al-Farabi, the great medieval Turkic scientist on the perfect state.

Guest of Honor H.E.Mr. Khuon Phon Rattanak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, extended congratulations on the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations with both countries. Speaking about the development of relations, the deputy minister noted that the Cambodian side is interested in continuing relations in all spheres in the future. He emphasized that strengthening relations with Azerbaijan in all spheres is considered a priority.

Then the event continued with musical performances by famous singer Kamala Garamollayeva, specially invited from Azerbaijan, and Cambodian singer Ms. Pisey Keo, as well as presentation of national cuisine of Azerbaijan.