Monday, 26 May 2008

King And Queen On Six-Day State Visit To Laos And Cambodia

Bernama.com
May 26, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah will Monday begin a six-day state visit to Laos and Cambodia.

The Majesties' visit to Laos, at the invitation of president Choummaly Sayasone, was historic as it was the first by a Malaysian Head of State in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The King and Queen, accompanied by Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek as the minister-in-attendance and senior government officials, will be in Laos for three days beginning today.

On Wednesday, the royal couple will depart for a four-day visit to Cambodia at the invitation of the Cambodian King, Norodom Sihamoni.

The Foreign Ministry said the visit by their Majesties to the two Asean member states symbolised the warm and close ties of friendship and understanding between Malaysia and the two Indo-Chinese nations.

"The visits are expected to further enhance existing bilateral relations and mutual understanding between Malaysia and the two countries.

In Vientiane, Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah will grant an audience to Choummaly, Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and National Assembly chairman Thongsing Thammavong.

Choummaly will also host a state banquet in honour of Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah at a leading hotel.

The Majesties will also meet Malaysians in Laos.Besides visiting places of historical significance in Vientiane, the King and Queen will also view the ancient royal city of Luang Prabang, also known as the "Jewel of Indo-China".

It is one of the historical sites in the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites.

In Phnom Penh, Tuanku Mizan will have an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni and grant an audience to National Assembly president Heng Samrin and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Their Majesties will also be hosted to a state banquet at the palace of the Cambodian King. Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah will also visit the historical town of Siem Reap in northern Cambodia where the ancient Angkor Wat Temple is located.

-- BERNAMA

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