Speaker Ghimire calls on Cambodian PM, discusses Lumbini-Angkor direct flights

Kathmandu, Nov 25: Speaker at the House of Representatives (HoR) Devraj Ghimire, who is on a five-day visit to Cambodia, had a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet and Chairman of Senate, the Upper House of Cambodian parliament, Samdech Hun Sen.     

The Speaker's Secretariat said that during the meeting with Prime Minister Manet at the Peace Palace in Cambodia, important issues were discussed to take the historical relationship between the two countries to a new height.     

In the meeting, Speaker Ghimire emphasized that direct air services should be started from Buddha's birthplace Lumbini and Cambodia's Angkor to promote Hindu and Buddhist heritage.     

The Speaker believes that this will further encourage spiritual tourism and cultural exchange. An air agreement was signed between Nepal and Cambodia in 2075 BS.     

During the meeting, there was a discussion about promoting experience exchange programmes between citizens of both countries. Speaker Ghimire also gave a formal invitation to the Prime Minister of Cambodia to visit Nepal.     

Prime Minister Manet said that the inter-parliamentary assembly of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) is an excellent platform for the cooperation of small nations. He expressed his desire to arrange a suitable time to visit Nepal. The meeting is seen as an important opportunity to further strengthen the economic, cultural and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.     

Speaker Ghimire met with Sen, the Chairman of the Upper House Senate on Sunday evening.     

During the meeting held at the Cambodia People's Party headquarters, both parties discussed the issue of further strengthening the relationship between the legislatures of the two countries. Similarly, the Secretariat of Speaker Ghimire said that the possibility of further strengthening the long-term relations between the two countries, parliamentary practice, regional cooperation and cooperation on matters of common interest were also discussed.     

The Speaker, while sharing the experience of the unique success of the Nepali peace process, was of the view that both countries can have more understanding and partnership in areas of common interest.     

On Saturday evening, he also met with the President of the National Assembly of Cambodia. The Speaker, who reached Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh leading a five-member delegation, addressed the 11th plenary session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace on Sunday and will return home on Tuesday. (RSS)