AKP Phnom Penh, January 28, 2021 --

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Prak Sokhonn yesterday sent a congratulatory letter to his American counterpart H.E. Antony John Blinken.

"It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to you upon your appointment as the Secretary of State of the United States of America," he wrote in the letter. 

"With you at the helm of American diplomacy, I am confident that the American people as well as international community will enjoy greater peace, security, stability and prosperity through the revitalisation of multilateralism and maintenance of rules based international system," he continued.

In the letter H.E. Prak Sokhonn also noted the bilateral aspect that the 70 years of friendship is a guiding light, indicating how far Cambodia and the U.S. have come together amid the turbulent geopolitical landscape that the region had to face. Based on the hard lessons learned in the past, he added, Cambodia attaches crucial importance to the maintenance of peace and stability and adherence of constitutionality of the multi-party liberal democracy. In this regard. Cambodia highly value America's contribution and support to Cambodia's nation-building process both in terms of hard and soft dimensions.

As Cambodia pursues diplomacy that promotes balanced and diversified partnership with all friends, H.E. Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed the Kingdom's strong desire and commitment to further nurturing amicable relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States of America based on mutual interest, mutual respect, and fairnes.

"I look forward to working closely with you to build more solid bilateral trust and confidence under the international equilibrium that ensures durable peace, and sustainable and inclusive development, with no one left behind," he said. "Please accept, Honourable Secretary of State, the assurances of my highest consideration and my best wishes for your good health and success in the fulfillment of your noble duty."

By Heng Panha