Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 10 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen said that Japan Maritime Self-defense Force will pay visit to Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base to celebrate its 30 years of peacekeeping mission in the kingdom.

The premier spoke at the inauguration ceremony of National Road No. 5 improvement project on Monday.

“The year 2022 marks as the 30th anniversary of Japan’s contribution to the United Nation Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs), therefore we should celebrate it with a few activities such as visiting Ream Naval Base. In this regard, the Japanese ship cannot dock at the base due to low water level, so I discussed with defense minister Tea Banh to bring Japanese forces for a site visit by the kingdom’s ships and cars instead,” the premier underlined.

The year 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the deployment of Japanese peacekeeper to Cambodia, which the first time Japan sent troops abroad, known as the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs). Two Japanese peacekeepers were killed during their mission in Cambodia.

Samdech continued, "If Japan allows, I will personally welcome the Japanese naval forces on board once they arrived.”

Cambodia-Japan relations were officially established on 9 January 1953, which have steadily improved to become a strategic partnership in December 2013 when premier Hun Sen visited Japan. After Cambodia’s civil war ended, Japan has significantly contributed to maintain peace, restoration and development of Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS