PHNOM PENH: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday pledged to strengthen ties with Cambodia as part of a tour that completes a round of visits to Southeast Asian countries within a year since taking office.
Abe and the Cambodia leader Hun Sen “shared a commitment to further broadening the bilateral relationship,” according to a joint statement released after talks in Phnom Penh.
As part of the wide-ranging talks, the Japanese premier also discussed his “security policy to pro-actively contribute even further to the peace and stability of the region”.
Japan and Cambodia agreed cooperation on a variety of issues, including support from Tokyo on investment, democratic reform and health.
They also discussed the possibility of finalising an agreement to launch direct flights between the two countries.
Abe’s trip to Laos today will mean he has visited all 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since taking power last December.
In contrast, the hawkish premier has not yet held sit-down talks with top officials of Chinese and South Korean governments as Tokyo’s ties with its neighbours have been strained by territorial disputes and the legacy of Japan’s 20th century wartime aggression.
AFP
