Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on an official visit at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn from 15 to 16 February 2022.
Minister Balakrishnan met with his counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, which was followed by a delegation meeting. The Ministers reaffirmed the excellent state of bilateral relations, underpinned by growing trade and investment and people-to-people linkages. Singapore and Cambodia celebrated the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2020. The Ministers agreed to expand bilateral cooperation especially in new areas of mutual interest such as connectivity, infrastructure development, agri-trade, fintech and digital economy. They discussed the common challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and commended the mutual support rendered throughout this crisis including Singapore’s contribution of medical supplies and equipment to Cambodia. Minister Balakrishnan hoped that 2022 would be a year of post-pandemic recovery for both countries. Both Ministers welcomed the resumption of travel under the Cambodia-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane. Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to support Cambodia’s capacity building and human resource development, including through the upgraded Cambodia-Singapore Cooperation Centre in Phnom Penh.
The Ministers discussed regional and international issues. They stressed the importance of upholding ASEAN centrality and unity, and deepening regional economic integration.Minister Balakrishnan expressed Singapore’s support for Cambodia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022 and Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn’s role as the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar. Minister Balakrishnan said that Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “ASEAN A.C.T: Addressing Challenges Together” is especially apt, and ASEAN will overcome challenges by working together. Minister Balakrishnan noted with regret that there has been no significant progress in implementing the Five-Point Consensus. Both Ministers urged the Myanmar military authorities to swiftly and fully implement the Five-Point Consensus, including by facilitating the Special Envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned. Minister Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s commitment to working with Cambodia, other ASEAN Member States, the United Nations, and other external stakeholders on the full implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and relevant ASEAN decisions.
Minister Balakrishnan took the opportunity to invite Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn to make an official visit to Singapore at a mutually convenient time. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn’s last official visit to Singapore was in August 2018.
Minister Balakrishnan will meet Minister of Environment Say Samal later today. Minister Balakrishnan will call on Prime Minister Hun Sen and meet Chairman of the National Assembly Commission on Education, Youth, Sports, Religion, Culture and Tourism Hun Many on 16 February 2022. Minister Balakrishnan will also attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on 16 to 17 February 2022.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, Tokyo