Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Prak Sokhonn has dismissed the recent news spreading out by some media outlets concerning Ream Naval Base.
During a telephone call with Senator the Honorable Penny Wong, newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia on June 7, H.E. Prak Sokhon rejected these groundless accusations against Cambodia, reiterating Cambodia’s firm adherence to the Constitution of Cambodia, which does not permit foreign military base or presence on Cambodian soil.
The Deputy PM underlined that the renovation of the base served solely to strengthen the country’s naval capacities to protect its maritime integrity and combat crimes.
H.E. Prak Sokhonn touched on the good gesture by Cambodian government in allowing the foreign military attaches in Phnom Penh to visit Ream Naval Base that is unprecedented in practice by any country vis-à-vis its military base.
The Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn also underlined that Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen took the opportunity of the recent ASEAN-US Summit in Washington, DC to reaffirm Cambodia’s commitment to strictly abide by the provisions of the Constitution of Cambodia which does not permit any foreign military base on Cambodia’s territory, in response to the concerns about Ream Naval Base.
During discussion about Myanmar crisis, H.E. Prak Sokhonn briefed Foreign Minister Penny Wong on his first visit to Myanmar on Mar 21-22, 2022 in his capacity as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair, saying it has paved the way for the next appropriate steps to bring about progress on 3 immediate priorities for the implementation of the 5PC: (1) Cessation of violence, (2) Ensuring timely delivery of humanitarian assistance without discrimination, and (3) Building conducive environment for an inclusive political dialogue to resolve Myanmar crisis.
The Deputy PM also highlighted the three main outcomes achieved by the Consultative Meeting on Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar hosted by Cambodia on May 6, 2022, namely: (1) The Arrangement Framework for the delivery of ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance, (2) Addressing the operational challenges of delivering humanitarian assistance and (3) Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Operational teams. He also made known of the arrangement for his tentative second visit to Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong thanked Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn for sharing information and clarification.
H.E. Prak Sokhonn took the opportunity to extend his warm congratulations to Senator the Honorable Penny Wong upon her appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia. He appreciated his Australian counterpart’s initiative to have this call very soon after assuming office that reflected the importance of the bilateral relations while the two countries are marking this year the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Senator the Honorable Penny Wong appreciated the endeavours by Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen in his capacity as ASEAN Chair this year and Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair in pushing the implementation of the 5 Point Consensus on Myanmar and assured Australia’s support for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2022.
The two Foreign Ministers looked forward to the opportunity to meet again soon.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press