Tokyo, Japan – Cambodia and Japan have conducted their first Senior Officials’ Talks to bolster the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as stated in a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC). The meeting took place in Tokyo on November 20, 2023, chaired by H.E. Ms. Tuot Panha, Secretary of State at the MFAIC, and H.E. Funakoshi Takehiro, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the talks highlighted the strong growth of Cambodia-Japan relations, which have reached new heights with the elevation of their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership earlier this year. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy, defence, security, digital development, and people-to-people ties. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the frequency of high-level visits and interactions, especially the recent summit between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Fumio Kishida, which deepened mutual trust and broadened bilateral relations.
The meeting also reviewed the current state of economic cooperation, noting stable bilateral trade and significant Japanese investment in Cambodia. The two sides explored measures to boost trade and attract more Japanese investment. The Cambodian side acknowledged Japan’s crucial role in the country’s peace process and socio-economic development, while the Japanese side confirmed its ongoing support for Cambodia’s development efforts in line with its Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I and Japanese official development assistance policy. Furthermore, both countries agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation within ASEAN-Japan relations and Mekong-Japan Cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and international issues. The Japanese side also appreciated Cambodia’s commitment to the ASEAN Commemorative Summit marking 50 years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.