Phnom Penh (FN), Jul. 6 – Cambodia and Japan announced the resumption and strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation for peace and prosperity in the region.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call by Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko on Saturday morning (Jul. 6) at the Peace Palace.

During the meeting, the Japanese foreign minister briefed Samdech Thipadei on the progress of Cambodia-Japan relations with mutual trust developed from the peace process and Japan's contributions to Cambodia's development to date. She underlined that the Japanese Government will continue to strengthen and expand relations and cooperation with the Royal Government of Cambodia within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet welcomed the visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister and her delegation to Cambodia. He expressed gratitude to the Royal Government and the people of Japan for their ongoing support of Cambodia's socio-economic development.

The premier also praised the current state of relations and cooperation between Cambodia and Japan, which have reached their highest level in history following the elevation of their relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in 2023, along with the launch of new initiatives to further strengthen and expand cooperation.

During the meeting, both sides discussed promoting bilateral cooperation in new ways across various areas, including:

1. Strengthening and expanding cooperation on social infrastructure by enhancing efforts in clean water and wastewater treatment systems, promoting digital development, and improving cyber security.

2. Enhancing maritime connectivity through participation in the design and development of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port to become a regional logistics center, and improving maritime security through cooperation between the navies of the two countries, as well as between the Cambodian Navy and the Japanese Coast Guard, including human resource training and joint exercises.

3. Continuing to promote cooperation in the field of demining. The foreign minister expressed her support for Cambodia in hosting the meeting of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Destruction of Mines (Ottawa Convention) in November 2024.

Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia's readiness to host the Ottawa Convention meeting and thanked Japan for its contributions and support in this process.

In addition, both sides discussed strengthening and expanding cooperation in the economic field to attract investment from Japan.

Both leaders also welcomed and congratulated the elevation of dialogue between the defense and foreign affairs sectors, enhancing cooperation to the level of deputy ministers of both countries.

At the same time, the prime minister and the foreign minister discussed continuing bilateral and multilateral cooperation for peace, stability, unity, and prosperity in the region and internationally for the benefit of the people of both countries.
=FRESH NEWS