Foreign minister Prak Sokhonn and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne. Cambodian Foreign Ministry
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn informed his Australian counterpart Marise Payne, who is also Minister for Women, on Tuesday that Cambodia welcomed all countries to practice joint military drills.
In a press release, the ministry said the two also expressed their gratitude for mutual assistance in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Sokhonn also acknowledged his appreciation for Australia’s financial and technical assistance in the health sector.
“Recalling their last meeting in September last year in New York, Sokhonn reassured his counterpart that all foreign nations are invited to conduct military exercises in Cambodia. Joint military drills can include patrolling the sea, counter-terrorism and combating human and drug trafficking,” the press release said.
Sokhonn said he also welcomed joint infantry drills, especially those involving disaster management.
He also reiterated that China does not possess any military base in the Ream Sea in Preah Sihanouk province. He reassured Payne of Cambodia’s constitutional principle of not allowing the presence of any foreign military bases within its sovereign territory.
According to the ministry, Payne also expressed interest in promoting women’s affairs in the Kingdom, while Sokhonn highlighted Cambodia’s intention to organise an event on women in peace and security on the sidelines of the 13th Asia-Europe Summit and other possible cooperation on women empowerment.
The Australian embassy in Cambodia declined to comment on the conversation between the two ministers. But its spokesperson did emphasise Australia’s assistance to Cambodia in response to Covid-19.
“The Australian government plans to provide approximately A$65 million [$45.5 million] in development assistance for Cambodia over the next year. This assistance will support Cambodia’s Covid-19 response and recovery, including through the health response, support for vulnerable groups and cushioning the economic impacts of the pandemic,” the spokesperson said.
The embassy added it had worked through local partnerships that empower Cambodians to respond to Covid-19 in a coordinated and impactful manner.
The assistance included support to the Ministry of Health to purchase new ambulances and strengthen disease surveillance and response, helping update the database of the poorest Cambodian families so they can receive cash transfers from the government, and providing access to clean piped water for up to one million Cambodians. Australian officials had also worked with local NGOs and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to ensure those affected by gender-based violence continue to access services and safe shelter.
