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Published: 13 December,2024 | Updated: 13 December,2024
Cambodia and U.S. Commit to Further Strengthening Ties

Phnom Penh ,December 11 (AseanAll)  —  Cambodia is ready to work with incoming U.S. administration to deepen the relationship and cooperation of the two countries, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia.

The commitment was underscored in Phnom Penh on December 10,2024 when Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received a call by Ms. Bridgette L. Walker, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy.

In the meeting, Prak Sokhonn expressed his satisfaction with the positive momentum of bilateral ties and cooperation thanks to the high-level engagements, including the recent visits to Cambodia of U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and USAID Administrator Ms. Samantha Power.

Prak Sokhonn and Ms. Bridgette L. Walker applauded the reinvigoration of military-to-military cooperation and the resumption of the U.S.-Cambodia Defence Policy Dialogue. They reaffirmed shared commitment of both governments to broadening and deepening bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest, including trade and tourism which have seen good progress.

Both sides also agreed to have activities to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Cambodia-U.S. Diplomatic Relations, next year. Touching on cultural cooperation, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister also expressed deep gratitude to the U.S. authorities for their assistance in returning over 150 Khmer antiquities to Cambodia, with the hope that more items would be located and returned.

On education and people-to-people linkages, the two sides agreed on the importance of continued scholarship and exchanges which have enabled over 1,000 Cambodian students to study and train in the U.S., contributing significantly to the country’s human resource development.

Prak Sokhonn reiterated Cambodia’s continued full support and cooperation for the joint humanitarian mission to recover the remains of missing U.S. soldiers during the war.

On demining, Prak Sokhonn expressed high appreciation for the US$12 million assistance provided through USAID in 2024 to support Cambodia’s demining efforts. He hoped continued fruitful cooperation in this area to expedite the realisation of Cambodia’s mine-free target.

The cooperation in the ASEAN-U.S. framework was also discussed. H.Ε. Deputy Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment, as country coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations (2024-2027), to redouble its efforts in strengthening the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.