The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a press release last week summing up Minister Prak Sokhonn’s attendance at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Vietnam.

The ministry noted that Sokhonn pushed the Kingdom’s priorities within Asean during the meeting, including continuing its efforts as the host country of the Asean Regional Mine Action Centre.

“Cambodia has always been committed to the full and effective operationalisation of the centre aimed to promote the awareness on dangers posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war,” the release noted.

Sokhonn also briefed his counterparts over ongoing preparations for the Asean-New Zealand Leaders’ Summit set for April 9.

The minister took note of several key developments within Asean, including progress on constructive dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh for the repatriation of displaced people in Rakhine state.

“Asean foreign ministers expressed the readiness of Asean to support the repatriation process in a speedy, safe and orderly manner,” the press release said.

On the South China Sea issue, the ministers highlighted progress in cooperation and consultation between Asean and China, particularly the completion of the first reading and the commencement of the second reading of the Single Draft CoC Negotiating Text.

They also underscored the importance of full and effective implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC) in its entirety.

Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong could not be reached for comment on Monday.