Foreign Minister Nakasone's Visit to Cambodia
(Overview of Results)
January 11, 2009
Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Cambodia from January 10 to 11 and held talks with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. The following is an overview of the meetings. In addition to the above, Mr. Nakasone also attended a signing ceremony for economic cooperation project agreements, the handover ceremony for demining machines, and the opening ceremony of Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009.
1. Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Hun Sen
(1) Japan-Cambodia relations
At the outset, Mr. Nakasone congratulated Samdech Hun Sen on the inauguration of a new Cambodian government in September 2008. He stated that Japan has consistently assisted Cambodia as a priority country in every way since peace was realized in the country, including in the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure and in human resources development. This basic stance will remain unchanged in the future, he affirmed. Furthermore, at the beginning of the meeting Mr. Nakasone presented Samdech Hun Sen with a badge commemorating Mekong-Japan Exchange Year, which Samdech Hun Sen immediately put on.
Samdech Hun Sen welcomed the visit to Cambodia by Mr. Nakasone, which marked the first visit by a foreign delegation in 2009, and thanked him for the assistance that Japan has extended since the achievement of peace in Cambodia. He praised Japan's economic assistance as playing a key role in the development of Cambodia, spanning as it does all areas, including economic development, infrastructure, and the cultivation of human resources. Samdech Hun Sen also remarked that he hopes to promote Mekong-Japan Exchange Year in cooperation with Japan.
(2) Japan-Mekong cooperation and assistance for the "Southern Economic Corridor"
Mr. Nakasone noted that 2009 is Mekong-Japan Exchange Year and that Japan intends to promote wide-ranging exchanges with countries of the Mekong region. He stated that, given the importance of supporting the "Southern Economic Corridor" for robust development of the region, Japan would continue its support in enhancing the efficiency of physical distribution in the corridor. Moreover, Mr. Nakasone expressed Japan's intention to steadily implement the Second Mekong Bridge Construction Project based on the joint statement by the leaders of the two countries. As to the National Road No. 1 Improvement Project, he called for Cambodian cooperation on such issues as compensation for relocating residents, while stating that Japan would work toward the project's early completion. Mr. Nakasone further announced a yen loan of approximately 3.5 billion yen to support the watersupply facilities project in Niroth in the Phnom Penh metropolitan area.
Samdech Hun Sen agreed on the importance of support for the Southern Economic Corridor and noted that he has consulted with previous prime ministers of Japan regarding the Second Mekong Bridge Construction Project. He reiterated Cambodia's earnest desire for the bridge's construction and stated that he would like to appeal to Prime Minister Taro Aso for Japan's assistance. Samdech Hun Sen stressed the importance of the bridge not only for Cambodia but also for the Greater Mekong Subregion as part of the Asian highway network. He said that while voices of concern have been raised as to whether Japan will really support the project in the light of the time that has passed, he is personally confident that Japan as a friend of Cambodia will carry out its support and looks forward to its early realization. Samdech Hun Sen further stated that he also attaches importance to the National Road No. 1 Improvement Project, which takes due account of the environment and society, and hopes for its early completion.
(3) Responses to the global financial and economic crisis
Mr. Nakasone stated that, as Prime Minister Aso remarked at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting and on other occasions in 2008, Asia is expected to play the role of an "open growing center" as the world faces increasing signs of a global recession. He continued that it is in the interest of the world for Asia to work toward strengthening its potential for growth and increasing domestic demand and that Japan, together with other members, would like to express active initiatives by Asian countries at the upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS).
Samdech Hun Sen agreed with Mr. Nakasone's remarks. Asia should play an active role in its relations with the United States and Europe, unlike at the time of the Asian economic crisis in 1997, and the EAS is important in that respect. Cambodia would like to work in concert with Japan, he continued. Samdech Hun Sen also welcomed the fact that the international economic crisis was discussed at the recent Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit.
(4) The Khmer Rouge trials
Mr. Nakasone conveyed Japan's support for Cambodia's efforts to proceed with the Khmer Rouge trial toward the realization of justice and the enhancement of the rule of law. In view of the trial's importance, the Japanese cabinet has recently approved a government budget proposal for contributing 2.4 billion yen (21 million US dollars) to the United Nation's share of the trial's budget, he explained, and the government will work toward passage of the budget, which is scheduled for deliberation in the Diet. Mr. Nakasone expressed his hope for expeditious and impartial trials, given the rising ages of the accused.
Samdech Hun Sen responded with words of gratitude for Japan's support. He then noted that expeditious trials are needed in the light of the aging of the accused and that further prolongation of the trials is problematic. The Khmer Rouge trials are important both for justice and for national reconciliation, and Cambodia hopes for further assistance from Japan, he said.
(5) Issues in the international arena
(a) Mr. Nakasone remarked that, true to the spirit of the 2007 joint statement, Japan wishes to further strengthen bilateral relations and also cooperate with Cambodia on international issues, such as climate change and UN reform. Samdech Hun Sen voiced his approval.
(b) Mr. Nakasone explained recent relations between Japan and North Korea, stating that North Korea needs to sincerely face up to the nuclear, missile, and abduction issues for it to become a responsible member of the international community and that the international community needs to work together to help make this happen.
Samdech Hun Sen responded that he understands and supports Japan's position and asked to be informed of any situation that may arise, as the nuclear and missile issues present a threat to the entire region and the world as well.
(c) With respect to the Cambodia-Thai border issue, Mr. Nakasone remarked that he has personally supported the clearance of landmines and has sent out messages to both countries. Applauding the efforts of both countries toward resolution of the issue through foreign ministerial meetings and joint border committee meetings, he expressed his hope that they would continue to work with self-restraint and achieve a peaceful resolution of the issue.
Samdech Hun Sen replied that Cambodia's relations with Thailand are normalizing and that he hopes to resolve the issue through peaceful negotiations.
2. Meeting and Luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong
(1) Japan-Cambodia relations
(a) General statements
Mr. Nakasone affirmed that, as he explained earlier in his meeting with Samdech Hun Sen, Japan attaches importance to its relations with Cambodia and that this will remain unchanged.
Mr. Hor Namhong welcomed Mr. Nakasone's visit and expressed deep gratitude to the government and the people of Japan for the assistance that it has extended to Cambodia in various areas since peace was achieved. He also stated that Cambodia considers Japan its most important partner.
(b) Economic cooperation
Mr. Nakasone shared his hope that Japan's cooperation with the Project for Infectious Diseases Control and the Project for Improvement of Roleang Chrey Headworks, for which a signing session with Mr. Hor Namhong followed the meeting, would contribute to the improvement of Cambodian living standards and to the country's development.
In response, Mr. Hor Namhong reiterated his appreciation for the Japanese government's assistance.
(c) Economic relations
Noting that the Japan-Cambodia Bilateral Investment Agreement came into force in 2008, Mr. Hor Namhong welcomed the expected increase in private investment from Japan.
Mr. Nakasone agreed and stated that Japan would like to offer technical assistance toward the strengthening of investment desk functions beginning in February 2009.
(d) The Khmer Rouge trials
Mr. Nakasone conveyed Japan's support for the trials, which he also explained during his earlier visit with Samdech Hun Sen. Mr. Hor Namhong responded that he appreciated Japan's considerable support.
(2) Measures to promote development in the Mekong region
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Nakasone presented Mr. Hor Namhong with a badge commemorating Mekong-Japan Exchange Year.
Mr. Hor Namhong commended Japan's undertakings on behalf of the Mekong region. He further made proposals regarding the holding of a seminar on Mekong region development as part of Mekong-Japan Exchange Year and the hosting of the second Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Mr. Nakasone commended Cambodia's efforts and welcomed the proposal to host the second Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers' Meeting. He expressed his hope that coordination with the countries involved will proceed smoothly and that the meeting will be realized soon.
(3) Issues in the international arena
Mr. Nakasone stated that Japan hoped to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperate with Cambodia on issues in the international arena, such as climate change and UN reform. He went on to state that Japan, which has been appointed as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, intends to play an increasingly active role for peace and security in the international community.
Views were also shared regarding such issues as counterterrorism, the global environment and climate change, and peace in the Middle East.
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