H.E. MIYAKE Shingo, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, has expressed his support for Cambodia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2022 and the Kingdom’s role in resolving regional issues, including the issue of Myanmar and the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea.
The Japanese foreign vice-minister voiced the support in an meeting early this week with Dr. CHHEANG Vannarith. President of Asian Vision. Institute (AVI), organised by the Embassy of Japan in Phnom Penh under the Programme “Building a Multi-layered Network between Japan’s Experts and the Asian Vision Institute’s Experts and Research Fellows”, according to a press release of AVI.
“Japan also supports ASEAN’s Centrality and Unity, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, in addressing the regional challenges,” it added. “He also stated that Japan will assist and offer its utmost efforts to Cambodia and other Mekong countries under Mekong related frameworks. To mark the 70th Anniversary of Cambodia-Japan diplomatic relations and the 50th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Partnership in 2023, H.E MIYAKE Shingo underscored that Japan stands ready to offer further cooperation with Cambodia not only in the existing areas, but also in other new potential areas.”
In response, Dr. CHHEANG Vannarith wholeheartedly stressed that “Japan has earned the hearts of the people of Cambodia.” As the ASEAN Chair in 2022, Cambodia will continue the cooperation with Japan in both bilateral and multilateral platforms. Thus, AVI will offer full commitment to assist the Royal Government of Cambodia in doing so. Furthermore, Cambodia is the first country in the ASEAN region to express its support for Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, and Cambodia will work even harder to ensure the development of both the Mekong region and ASEAN as a whole.
As for the developments in Myanmar and the South China Sea, Dr. Vannarith highlighted the complexity of both issues, demonstrating that, based on previous speeches made by Cambodia’s Leaders, Cambodia will put a full commitment in dealing with both of the matters seeking a Win-Win solution for all parties.
Dr. President also briefed H.E. MIYAKE Shingo on the progress and future development plan “Techo 100 Villages”, which has offered many development opportunities to rural beneficiaries and the grassroots population in Cambodia.
He elaborated that this plan focuses on connecting the villages in Cambodia and across the region based on the potential of each village in the field of agriculture, culture, tourism, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other concerned areas. The plan aims to bring Cambodia to achieve the status of upper-middle-income country by 2030 and high-income nation by 2050.
At the end of the Courtesy Call, H.E. MIYAKE Shingo reminded that “Japan will continue to support Cambodia to achieve its development vision robustly”. He further highlighted his acknowledgement of the pivotal role of think tanks in resolving the recent issues in the region, namely the case of Myanmar and the South China Sea.
To conclude, Dr. CHHEANG Vannarith reemphasised that AVI is committed to working closely with Japanese think tanks and other stakeholders to further advance the bilateral relationships of the two countries.
The Meeting yielded many insightful inputs and prospects on the significant role of think tanks in assisting a successful Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in the coming year.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press