Latest news with #KhmerTimes
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Cambodia and Japan deepen strategic partnership and cooperation
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, during the meeting in Tokyo. - Khmer Times PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodia and Japan agreed to further work toward maintaining and strengthening an international order based on the rule of law, as well as a multilateral free trade system, according to a Joint Statement between Cambodia and Japan released to the media. The Joint Statement added that during the bilateral Summit Meeting on 30th May, Prime Minister Hun Manet and ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, stressed the importance of expanding and deepening the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' between the two countries, including the co-creation of economic and social values and security cooperation based on the trust and friendship that both countries have built over the years. They also concurred on further working toward maintaining and strengthening an international order based on the rule of law as well as a multilateral free trading system. Related to the co-creation of economic and social values, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress in concrete cooperation, including the 'Co-creation for common agenda initiative' in the digital field, since the launch of the 'Three New Cooperation Approaches' in July last year, consisting of social infrastructure development in water and digital fields, maritime connectivity, and humanitarian mine action. The two Prime Ministers announced the attached 'Cambodia-Japan Economic Co-Creation Package'. They concurred in further promoting cooperation, such as improving the business environment in Cambodia, including through Japan's contribution to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), supporting Japanese companies, forming Public-Private Partnership projects, and advancing telecommunications networks for industrial enhancement and supply chain resilience. The two Prime Ministers confirmed that the development of Sihanoukville Port contributes to regional connectivity and trade promotion, and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing cooperation towards its maintenance and development as a regional port and logistics hub. The two Prime Ministers also reiterated their commitment to advancing cooperation for strengthening the capabilities of Cambodia's maritime police and the National Committee for Maritime Security. The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on promoting democracy and the rule of law. Prime Minister Ishiba expressed Japan's intention to continue supporting Cambodia's efforts by providing legal and technical assistance, as well as electoral support, and sharing Japan's experience in democracy. Prime Minister Hun Manet appreciated Japan's valuable and continued support in this field and expressed his intention further to embed the outcomes of this support into Cambodian society. In this connection, he also highly valued Japan's role as the penholder of the resolution on Advisory Services and Technical Assistance for Cambodia at the Human Rights Council. The two Prime Ministers confirmed that people-to-people exchanges in business, tourism, academia, institutions, sports, and cultural exchanges form the basis of the co-creative relationship between the two countries and expressed their intention to promote them further at the governmental level. The two Prime Ministers shared the recognition that Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and the GREEN EXPO 2027 would be great opportunities to promote exchanges and reaffirmed their commitment to advance cooperation. - Khmer Times
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Border issues with Thailand require patience and determination, says Cambodian PM
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that resolving border issues is complex and must be approached with patience and persistence and through legal and diplomatic channels. On Saturday (May 31), he spoke to about 1,600 Cambodians living, working, and studying in Tokyo, Japan. The Prime Minister emphasised that border demarcation should be managed by the countries' designated border committees rather than through military conflict. Referring to the clash that occurred on Wednesday, he warned that if the situation had not been addressed quickly, the death toll could have risen from one to potentially one hundred, and the conflict could have spread along the entire border. He also indicated that taking border disputes to international court should be considered only as a last resort, stating, 'Once it reaches the court, negotiations will no longer be possible.' Furthermore, the Prime Minister strongly disapproved of opposition claims suggesting that the Royal Government allowed the Thai army to fire on Cambodian troops in order to distract the public from online crime issues. He condemned attempts to demoralise Cambodian forces during this sensitive time. 'This is a moment for national unity,' he said. 'We must support and uplift our soldiers who are risking their lives to protect the territorial integrity of our homeland,' questioning the opposition's intentions behind their efforts to sow division between army generals and frontline soldiers. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Royal Government's commitment, alongside the Ministry of National Defence and the Cambodian Armed Forces, to peacefully resolve border disputes and to safeguard Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. - Khmer Times
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
UN Secretary-General praises Cambodia, says it is a prime example of successful peacekeeping
UN Secretary-General António Guterres. - Khmer Times PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Cambodia as a prime example of successful peacekeeping at the Ministerial Meeting on the Future of Peacekeeping, held in New York last week. The 'United Nations in Cambodia' Facebook Page shared the praise on May 23. He continued that once ravaged by civil war, Cambodia is now a leading contributor to peacekeeping missions worldwide, with over 8,000 peacekeepers deployed. UN officials commended Cambodian peacekeepers for their skill, dedication, and commitment to peace, underlined António Guterres. - Khmer Times
The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cambodian PM optimistic about improved tariff after second round of trade negotiations with US
Prime Minister Hun Manet chairs a weekly plenary cabinet meeting on Friday. - Photo: Khmer Times PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has expressed optimism about the upcoming second round of trade negotiations between Cambodia and the United States, hoping for a positive outcome. The Premier made the remarks during a weekly plenary cabinet meeting held on Friday morning at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. He noted that the first round of negotiations on the Cambodia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade primarily established positions and confirmed key issues, describing the process as inherently complex and time-consuming—a challenge common to all nations. He also commended the Ad Hoc Cambodia-US Bilateral Relations Coordination Working Group, led by Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, for their dedicated efforts. According to a press release of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit, during their first round of negotiations, which took place on May 13-15, 2025 in Washington, the Ad Hoc Working Group and the Office of the US Trade Representative exchanged their views in a frank and constructive manner in an atmosphere of mutual understanding on ways to further strengthening bilateral trade and investment. They had in-depth discussions on the draft Agreement. The second round of negotiations is scheduled for the first week of June 2025, also in Washington. - Khmer Times
The Star
24-05-2025
- The Star
New health scare in Cambodia: PM urges readiness for natural disasters and Covid-19 variant
Vaccination is progress in on going in all the towns and cities in Cambodia. - Photo: Khmer Times PHNOM PENH (Khmer Time): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has advised relevant government ministries and institutions to strengthen their preparedness for natural disasters and the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant. As the rainy season sets in, Hun Manet, during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Peace Palace on May 23, emphasised the importance of proactive response measures to natural disasters, especially floods. He instructed authorities to designate safe areas and ensure rescue teams are equipped with sufficient resources for swift and effective intervention. Recognising the increasing threat of lightning strikes, Hun Manet called for installing lightning protection devices in tourism hotspots, notably the Angkor Archaeological Park, to safeguard visitors. Regarding the latest COVID-19 variant, the Prime Minister ordered the immediate readiness of one million vaccine doses, medical personnel, and treatment centres to curb any potential outbreak. He also stressed the need for intensified public awareness through educational message dissemination. - Khmer Times
