Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea and his Japanese counterpart H.E. Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko have vowed to further deepen the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The commitment was made during their bilateral meeting in Tokyo, Japan on Dec. 17, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo, according to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
H.E. Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko expressed her appreciation to H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea for his participation in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit, while H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister extended his sincere congratulations to Japan for successfully hosting this important event.
The two Foreign Ministers recalled their fruitful telephone conversation on Oct. 30, 2023, and acknowledged that the year 2023 is a meaningful year for Cambodia and Japan as it marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations and the year which the two countries upgraded their relations to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that is the best level in the history of Cambodia-Japan relations.
The two Foreign Ministers reiterated their commitment to further strengthening and expanding the growing bilateral relations and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including politics, economy, infrastructure, defence and security, demining, peace keeping operations (PKO), people-to-people exchange, resources development, digital development, and cyber security.
Both sides also congratulated the successful convening of the first Senior Officials’ Talks between the two Foreign Ministries in Tokyo, in November 2023, and stressed the importance of holding such a meeting regularly.
H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated his appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their significant contribution to Cambodia’s peace process and invaluable support and assistance for the socio-economic development of the Kingdom. With regard to the development cooperation, both Ministers looked forward to the fruitful result of the inter-ministerial meeting between Cambodia and Japan, to be organised by the Council for the Development of Cambodia in Phnom Penh in early 2024 in order to endorse the draft country assistance policy for Cambodia for the period of five years, 2024-2028.
Furthermore, both Foreign Ministers concurred to further strengthen the two countries cooperation in the regional and international frameworks, including the United Nations and ASEAN-Japan.
Both sides also exchanged their views on regional and international issues of common concern such as the situation in Myanmar, the South and East China Seas, the Korean peninsula and Israel-Hamas conflicts.
