In a statement released on 23 November 2023, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that Cambodia and Japan have held their first Senior Officials’ Talks in Tokyo, marking a significant milestone in strengthening their bilateral relations. The talks, co-chaired by Her Excellency TUOT Panha, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and His Excellency FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, aimed to reinforce their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two sides shared a common vision that their relations have grown from strength to strength over the years, with the countries upgrading their relationship earlier this year. They discussed ways to further advance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy, defense and security, digital development, and people-to-people ties.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the frequent high-level exchanges of visits and interactions between the two countries, particularly the recent summit between Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and His Excellency KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan. The summit contributed to further deepening mutual trust and broadening the bilateral relations.
The Cambodian side reiterated its appreciation for Japan’s substantial investment in Cambodia, which has resulted in stable bilateral trade. The two sides discussed measures to boost bilateral trade and attract more Japanese investment to Cambodia.
In addition, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation under frameworks such as ASEAN-Japan relations and Mekong-Japan Cooperation. They also had an extensive exchange of views on regional and international issues of common concern and interest.
Her Excellency TUOT Panha had a separate meeting with His Excellency HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on 21 November, where they discussed ways to further strengthen their excellent bonds of friendship and multifaceted cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The two sides agreed to convene a second round of the Senior Officials’ Talks in Cambodia on mutually convenient dates in 2024. This visit will provide an opportunity for further exchange of views and strengthening of people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Key Takeaways
- Cambodia and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
- The two sides expressed satisfaction with the frequent high-level exchanges of visits and interactions between the two countries.
- Cambodia and Japan discussed measures to boost bilateral trade and attract more Japanese investment to Cambodia.
- The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation under frameworks such as ASEAN-Japan relations and Mekong-Japan Cooperation.
In conclusion, the first Senior Officials’ Talks between Cambodia and Japan mark a significant milestone in strengthening their bilateral relations. The talks demonstrate the two countries’ commitment to advancing mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening people-to-people ties. As they look forward to convening a second round of the talks in 2024, Cambodia and Japan are poised to continue their collaborative efforts in regional and international affairs.