Japan-Cambodia Relations
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Suzuki Visits Cambodia
August 29, 2019
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Norikazu SUZUKI visited the Kingdom of Cambodia from 21 to 23 August. The overview of the visit is as follows.
1 Itinerary
August 21: Courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luncheon hosted by H.E. Mr. Hun Many, Member of National Assembly, Meeting with young politics-oriented Cambodians, and Visit to AEON Mall
August 22：Visit to Vegetable Shipping and Quality Control Center in Kandal Province and Svay Rieng Agro-Products Cooperative in Svay Rieng Province
August 23: Luncheon hosted by H.E. Mr. Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister Delegate Attached to Prime Minister and Secretary General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Meeting with H.E. Mr. Bun Honn, Secretary of States of Ministry of Interior,
Visit to Chroy Changvar Bridge (Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge), Cambodia’s Children Make the heaven Association and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum,
And Visit to Svay Chrum Agricultural Cooperative in Svay Rieng Province
August 22：Visit to Vegetable Shipping and Quality Control Center in Kandal Province and Svay Rieng Agro-Products Cooperative in Svay Rieng Province
August 23: Luncheon hosted by H.E. Mr. Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister Delegate Attached to Prime Minister and Secretary General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Meeting with H.E. Mr. Bun Honn, Secretary of States of Ministry of Interior,
Visit to Chroy Changvar Bridge (Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge), Cambodia’s Children Make the heaven Association and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum,
And Visit to Svay Chrum Agricultural Cooperative in Svay Rieng Province
2 Overview
(1)Meetings with the Cambodian dignitaries
Bilateral relations
In the beginning, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SUZUKI expressed the respect for the efforts of Cambodia to achieve remarkable economic development of the nation in recent years, and showed his hope for the further deepening of Japan-Cambodia relations, noting the various assistance of Japan to Cambodia so far. In response, the Cambodian side welcomed Parliamentary Vice-Minister’s visit to Cambodia this time and expressed their high appreciation and gratitude for the assistance by Japan as those supports were indispensable to achieve the economic growth of the country today.
Economy
Parliamentary Vice-Minister SUZUKI asked for Cambodia’s further effort to improve the investment environment including the facilitation of logistic towards the increase of Japanese investment to Cambodia. In response, the Cambodian side expressed their wishes for a continued increase of Japanese investment and explained about their efforts in improving the investment environment by addressing various opinions given by Japanese companies at the Japan-Cambodia public-private joint meetings.
Domestic situation in Cambodia
Parliamentary Vice-Minister SUZUKI explained the Japan’s initiatives including the invitation programs for young politics-oriented Cambodians to Japan in three batches as for now since last December, and stated that Japan would continue such invitation programs and its support to the democratic process of Cambodia. In response, the Cambodian side explained the stance and initiatives of the Government of Cambodia related to its democratic development and expressed appreciation for Japan’s cooperation, noting that Cambodia would learn from Japan’s experience on democracy and promote the domestic democratic process.
Cooperation in the regional and international arenas
The both sides exchanged their views on pressing issues in the regional and international arenas, including North Korea and the South China Sea, and shared the view that they will work together further. In particular, with regard to North Korea, the two sides shared the position that the full implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions is important for the denuclearization of North Korea.
Courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Courtesy Call on H. E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Meeting with young politic-oriented Cambodians
(2)Visit to Vegetable Shipping and Quality Control Center in Kandal province, Svay Rieng Agro-Products
Cooperative and Svay Chrum Agricultural Cooperative in Svay Rieng ProvinceParliamentary Vice-Minister SUZUKI visited agricultural sites in Kandal Province and Svay Rieng Province to observe the recent situation related to the production/supply of safe and reliable agricultural products, as well as the stimulating of the agricultural sector in Cambodia.
