Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 6 – Kihara Minoru, Japanese Minister of Defence, extended birthday wishes to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and congratulated the Royal Government and people of Cambodia on the groundbreaking of the Funan Techo Canal Project.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen received a courtesy call from Kihara Minoru on 5 August 2024, at the Senate.

Kihara Minoru expressed his excitement about his first visit to Cambodia as the Defence Minister of Japan. He thanked Samdech Techo for allowing him and his delegation to pay a courtesy call.

On this occasion, the Japanese defence minister offered his deepest condolences to Samdech Techo, the Royal Government of Cambodia, and the families of the two Cambodian pilots who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in mid-July.

Kihara Minoru highly appreciated and welcomed the Cambodia-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan in 2023. He believes that through this agreement, cooperation between Cambodia and Japan in all sectors, especially defence and security, will be further enhanced.

For his part, Samdech Techo thanked the Japanese defence minister for his birthday wishes, congratulations on the construction of the Funan Techo Canal Project, and condolences for the loss of the pilots.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated that the relationship between Cambodia and Japan remains strong, especially from the time he worked with former Japanese Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo and Kishida Fumio. The current Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet continues to maintain Cambodia-Japan relations with Prime Minister Kishida as before.

Regarding the construction of the Funan Techo Canal, the Senate president underlined Cambodia's self-determination and independence from external assistance. Samdech Techo highlighted that the Japanese minister's visit coincided with the nationwide celebration of the groundbreaking ceremony for the 180-kilometer Funan Techo Canal, a historic project that connects the river to the sea, and with his birthday as well.

Samdech Techo welcomed the investment and cooperation from all Japanese investors and companies in the construction of the Funan Techo Canal. The Funan Techo Canal will be Cambodia's main waterway for transporting goods by river from all parts of the country to the sea, boosting Cambodia's economic growth. The canal will contribute to strengthening the role of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, which is being expanded with Japanese financial assistance.

Samdech Techo believed that the visit of the Japanese defence minister and his delegation will contribute to the strengthening and expansion of the existing good cooperation in the field of defence between the two countries and will further deepen the Cambodia-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership.
=FRESH NEWS