• Society

Turkey and Cambodia strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism

• Thmey Thmey
• July 31, 2019 7:02 AM

The Turkish minister thank the Cambodian government for its action against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) 

PHNOM PENH--Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng signed an agreement on security cooperation this week during the Cambodian minister’s visit to Turkey.

"Turkey over the years has been impressing us with its policies on development and security," Kheng was quoted as saying by the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency.

During a meeting, the Turkish and Cambodian ministers touched upon regional and global issues, and exchanged views on terrorism and the migrant crisis, according to Kheng’s Facebook post.

They committed to strengthening cooperation and sharing their experience on preserving public order, safety as well as traffic control. 

The Turkish minister took the opportunity of the meeting to thank the Cambodian government for its action against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). 

The Turkish government has accused FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the government that included the failed coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured.

During their meeting, the Cambodian and Turkish ministers agreed to continue working together against terrorism. 

Sar Kheng’s visit follows Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Turkey last October, during which eight agreements were signed relating to education, culture, tourism, water management, agriculture and investment.

In June, Hun Sen met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a regional security conference in Tajikistan. The two leaders set the goal of boosting bilateral trade to as much as $1 billion per year.

Cambodia established diplomatic relations with Turkey in 1959. Turkey opened its embassy in Phnom Penh in 2013.