Outcomes of ASEAN Secretary-General’s Official Visit in Cambodia

The following is the outcomes of the official visit of H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on Jan. 15-19, 2022, released this afternoon by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

“At the invitation of His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, His Excellency Dato LIM Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, led a delegation to pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 15 to 19 January 2022.

During the visit, H.E. Dato LIM Jock Hoi paid a courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and held a bilateral meeting with H.E. PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

During the courtesy call, Samdech Techo Prime Minister emphasised Cambodia's firm commitment, as the ASEAN Chair in 2022, to further advance the ASEAN Community building process through the strengthening of the ASEAN centrality, solidarity and cooperation. In response, H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi expressed the ASEAN Secretariat's readiness to support Cambodia's chairmanship in promoting the latter's priorities as well as realising deliverables that are beneficial for ASEAN and its people.

At the bilateral meeting between H.E. Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn and H.E. Dato LIM Jock Hoi, both sides exchanged views on how to carry forward ASEAN community building efforts during Cambodia's ASEAN chairmanship. H.E. Deputy Prime Minister highlighted major challenges that ASEAN is facing namely post-Covid 19 social economic recovery, superpower and major powers rivalries, existing traditional and non-traditional security issues, and ASEAN's institutional challenges in addressing complex issues. Under the theme ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together," Cambodia will endeavour to steer action-oriented efforts of ASEAN to address those challenges for the benefit of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

H.E. Dato LIM Jock Hoi shared his views on how to accelerate the existing tasks of ASEAN, and the need to depoliticise certain areas of cooperation so as not to disruptthe ASEAN Community building and regional integration efforts.

Both sides discussed at length Cambodia's priorities and deliverables in 2022, and also touched on regional and international developments including situation in Myanmar and how to enhance humanitarian access for better delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need in Myanmar.

H.E. Dato LIM Jock Hoi also had meetings with Samdech Pichey Sena TEA Banh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence, H.E. Dr. AUN Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance, H.E. Mr. SUN Chanthol, Senior Minister, Minister of Public Works and Transport, H.E. Dr. HANG Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, and H.E. Mr. PAN Sorasak, Minister of Commerce.”

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press