Japan-Cambodia Relations

On August 4, commencing at 5:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m., Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Singapore to attend Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related Foreign Ministers' Meetings, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kingdom of Cambodia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the beginning, Minister Kono expressed gratitude for the sympathies extended by Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and many Cambodian citizens in connection with the damage caused by torrential rain in July. Then, Minister Kono said that he would like to discuss mainly the relationship between the two countries at the meeting. In response, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed gratitude for Japan's continued support to Cambodia, including its support for election reform.
2. Minister Kono explained that Japan attached importance to last month's election being conducted in a way that appropriately reflected the will of the Cambodian people, and provided necessary assistance and advice, but there were various points that were regrettable, such as the large number of invalid votes cast in the election. Furthermore, Minister Kono stated that as a friend that has been supporting Cambodia's path of development and democratization since peace was achieved, Japan hopes that Cambodia will continue to walk that path, and to that end, Japan hopes that all Cambodia's citizens will be united in pursuing the development of the nation even more powerfully by promoting the democratic process through initiating political dialogue and ensuring the freedoms and rights of the people. Minister Kono stated that Japan will spare no effort to cooperate with Cambodia in its endeavor. In response, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed the essential standpoint of the Government of Cambodia.
3. In addition, Minister Kono presented Minister Prak Sokhonn with a gift (Note) at the meeting.
   (Note: The gift was a portrait of the Japan and ASEAN foreign ministers created by Manga Designers Lab).