Brigadier-General Richard Simcock (left) speaks with Neang Phat (right), secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence, in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Brigadier-General Richard Simcock (left) speaks with Neang Phat (right), secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence, in Phnom Penh yesterday. Photo by: Heng Chivoan

BRIGADIER-General Richard Simcock, the US Defense Department’s principal director for Southern and Southeast Asia, met with senior Cambodian defence officials yesterday in a series of talks focusing on military ties.

“I hope that Richard’s visit will bring stronger cooperation between the armies of Cambodia and the US,” said Neang Phat, secretary of state, at the Ministry of Defense. Minstry spokesman Chhum Socheat said no agreements were  signed. “We talked about the strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as maritime security and counter-terrorism,” he said.

Simcock arrived in Cambodia yesterday for three days of discussions, including talks on  Cambodia’s maritime security strategy.