Phnom Penh, July 6 (AseanAll)  — On July 6, 2024, during her visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia,according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Photo source:Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda welcomed Kamikawa's visit to Cambodia, and showing a Cambodian banknote depicting a bridge built by Japanese assistance, he expressed his gratitude for Japan's support for Cambodia since the peace process. 

He also expressed his desire to further develop cooperation between the two countries under the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” 

In addition, he conveyed a message from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, stating that Cambodia will become an official member of the Conference on cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).

Photo source:Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

In response, Kamikawa stated that areas of collaboration for Japan and Cambodia are steadily expanding after many years of building trusting relationships. Regarding to the future bilateral cooperation, she expressed her desire to collaborate for strengthening of Cambodia’s sustainability and further co-creation of social value, focusing on human resource development and the use of Japanese technology.

On Bilateral relations, Kamikawa stated that, based on Cambodia’s development and the cooperative achievements between the two countries, she would like to develop the "three new cooperation approaches", namely, social infrastructure development, maritime connectivity, and humanitarian mine action.

Social infrastructure development

Kamikawa stated that Japan would assist in deploying the Phnom Penh model water supply systems in regional areas as part of their collaboration in the water field. She also expressed her intention to cooperate with Cambodia to develop sewage systems in Phnom Penh, a new challenge, and to promote entry of Japanese companies to this field. In addition, Minister Kamikawa stated that the two countries would cooperate in the digital technology field to develop core communications infrastructure such as 5G. She also expressed her desire to continue cooperation with Cambodia to strengthen cyber security.

Maritime Connectivity

Kamikawa stated that Japan would like to cooperate with Cambodia to develop Sihanoukville Port as a hub port and logistics base for Cambodia and the region to strengthen maritime connectivity. She expressed her intention to work with Cambodia on maritime security, including ensuring the safety of maritime routes.

Japan-Cambodia Landmine Initiative

Kamikawa explained the Japan-Cambodia Landmine Initiative, which she announced during her visit. She stated that Cambodia is a special partner to Japan in humanitarian mine action and expressed her desire to cooperate with Cambodia in raising awareness in the international community by taking advantage of opportunities such as the Fifth Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of AntiPersonnel Mines (Ottawa Convention), in addition to the promotion of third-party assistance and development of demining technology.

Photo source:Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

In response, Sok Chenda expressed his gratitude for Japan’s past support in these three areas and stated that they have been in line with Cambodian government’s development strategy, the Pentagonal Strategy, which attaches great importance to the development of water supply and sewage systems, the development of the digital society, and the development of the Port of Sihanoukville as the core port and logistics hub in the region to strengthen connectivity. 

Sok Chenda also stated that the Cambodian government would like to collaborate with Japan in the sphere of humanitarian mine action in the international arena, and expressed his support for the three new cooperation approaches. 

The two foreign ministers agreed to work together to strengthen Cambodia's sustainability and further co-create social values.

The two ministers held an exchange of views on democratic development of Cambodia and strengthening economic relations.

After the meeting, the two ministers attended the ODA signing ceremony. They signed the following exchange of notes:(1) National Road No. 5 Improvement Project (Thlea Ma’am - Battambang and Sri Sophorn - Poipet Sections) ;(2) The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship.

Photo source:Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia