Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 16 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen thanked government of Japan for sending a special plane to pick up Cambodian army chief Hun Manet to pay working visit to Japan, speaking at the inauguration for the official use of the seven bridges in Kratie and Prey Veng provinces on Wednesday (16 Feb).

“Currently, Cambodian army commander Hun Manet is paying visit to Japan. Traveling by air is difficult due to COVID19 pandemic, so Japan sent a special plane to bring Manet and delegations for their visit to Japan. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation for Japan. Manet will return home tomorrow [17 Feb],” the premier said.

Hun Manet has met with three Japanese prime ministers in 2010, 2018, and 2022 respectively, according to the premier.

Hun Manet is visiting Japan at the invitation of the Defense Ministry as this year marks the 30th anniversary of Japan's dispatch of Self-Defense Forces personnel to Cambodia as the first case of SDF participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Manet has paid separate courtesy calls on Japanese foreign minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, met with the commander-in-chief of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces general Yamazaki Koji, and the commander of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces general Yoshida Yoshihide. He is expected to hold separate talks with premier Fumio Kishida and defense minister Nobuo Kishi during his stay in Japan.
=FRESH NEWS