President of the National Assembly Meets the New Italian Ambassador

H.E. Mr. Michelangelo PIPAN, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to the Kingdom of Cambodia who has the residence in Bangkok, had an audience with the President of the National Assembly Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin at the National Assembly Palace in the morning of January 12th 2010 after he had presented the letter of credentials to His Majesty the King of Cambodia, Preah Karuna Prabath Samdech Preah Borom Neath Norodom Sihamoni. 

The President of the National Assembly warmly welcomed H.E. Mr. Michelangelo PIPAN who was designated to be the new ambassador to the Kingdom and noticed that the diplomatic mission would deepen the diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two countries. He expressed, on behalf of Cambodian people, his sincere thanks to the people and government of Italy who have assisted Cambodia in her endeavor in building peace, reconciliation, stability and development. He also briefed the ambassador about the stable political situation in Cambodia that is favorable for development of the country especially for the well-functioning of the executive and legislative bodies.

In his response, H.E. Mr. Michelangelo PIPAN said that Italy has done her utmost in strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and added that his government has recently focused on assisting Cambodia on agriculture, rural development, public health, education, and combating woman trafficking. He voiced his intention to help stimulate Cambodia’s development by encouraging more Italian investors and tourists to come to Cambodia and push for good relations between legislative bodies of the two countries by exchanging official visits.

According to the report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Government gave financial donation to Cambodia as follows:

USD 3.5 million for Kompingpuy Region Development Project (Battambang) Phase I;
USD 3,268,302 for Kompingpuy Region Development Project (Battambang) Phase II;
EUR 542,208 for strengthening the regulations on trafficking in women and children and for facilitating the investigation on human trafficking and
USD 227,000 for renovating the Prae Roub Temple (Siem Reap).