Italy plans to establish a honorary consulate in Cambodia in order to facilitate the influx of Italian tourists and investors, a government official and parliamentary member told Xinhua in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

The Italian Ambassador who resided in Thailand had asked permission from the Cambodian government to open a honorary consulate in Cambodia in order to make it easier for Italian tourists and investors to enter the kingdom, said Prak Sokhon, deputy secretary general of the Council of Ministers.

"Cambodia has its Ambassador to Italy, but his residence is in Paris, France, while Italy also has its Ambassador to Cambodia, but his residence is in Bangkok, Thailand, which makes the process of visa difficult," he said.

An Italian honorary consulate in Cambodia could help make the process efficient, he said.

The Italian Ambassador made the proposal during his earlier meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen, who then told him to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Meanwhile, Pov Savoeurn, member of the National Assembly, told Xinhua by phone that both sides could have better cooperation if the consulate was established.

The parliament had created a nine-member group to work with the Italian Parliament to strengthen the bilateral ties and cooperation, including the establishment of the consulate, she said.

Italy established diplomatic ties with Cambodia in 1992 and has been helping Cambodia in the sectors of upgrading social work, countering human trafficking, restoring classic temples in Siem Reap Province, and building an irrigation system in Battambang Province.

Source: Xinhua