AKP Phnom Penh, July 01, 2025 --

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and visiting H.E. NAGASHIMA Akihisa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Member of the House of Representatives of Japan welcomed the deepening momentum of bilateral relations and discussed wide ranges of issues of common interests and concerns, during their meeting here this morning.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, both sides agreed that the recent official working visit of Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to Japan marks a historical and crucial milestone in further elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Cambodia and Japan to new heights. 

The two countries also reaffirmed their commitments to maintaining a frequency of high-level exchange and sustained engagement, aimed at further enhancing and deepening their bilateral partnership and collaboration. The Joint Statement and Economic Co-Creation Package, adopted during the visit and involving 20 line ministries/institutions, set the tone and roadmap for future cooperation. 

H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister appreciated Japan for continuing to support Cambodia's economic development, particularly in trade and investment, education and tourism, while acknowledging Japan's commitments to encouraging more investors to Cambodia.

Both sides highly appreciated the growing defence cooperation in many fields, including human resource trainings for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and joint training exercises in disaster response and mine clearance. H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister also acknowledged Japan's positive consideration of Official Security Assistance for Cambodia and reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to welcoming increased port calls by vessels from friendly nations at the REAM Naval Base.

Regarding border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised Cambodia's firm commitments to solving all border disputes through peaceful means. He also reaffirmed Cambodia's firm position in bringing the four specified hotspots (Ta Moan Tauch, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabei and Mom Bei) to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), following the prolonged inactivity by the Thai side within the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) despite repeated invitations from Cambodia for dialogue. The situation has also been exacerbated by the Thai Army's unilateral closures of border crossings. H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister added that if Thailand reopens all border crossings and it is not subject to negotiation, Cambodia will match this measure within five hours as an operational response.

H.E. NAGASHIMA noted that both Cambodia and Thailand are Japan's friends. He expressed deep concern for the situation, expressing that the border closures severely impact and disrupt cross-border trade and that reopening border crossings is vital for bilateral cooperation of the two countries. 

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interests and concerns.

AKP