Japan aid aimed at ASEAN chair logistics

The Japanese government has donated 39 vehicles to help support Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022.

Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Masahiro Mikami presented the vehicles to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on November 1.

The vehicles are part of the approximately $2.7 million worth of assistance earmarked for Cambodia under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme signed by Mikami and Sokhonn in March last year.

The package also covers some office equipment to be delivered later this year. In exactly two months from now, Cambodia will begin its official mandate to lead ASEAN for the third time in its history since joining the regional bloc in 1999.

Sokhonn said at the handover ceremony that the vehicles and office equipment will significantly help Cambodia when making logistical arrangements this coming year.

He added that Japan has committed another grant package of 300 million yen ($2.6 million) to assist the Ministry of Interior with technical equipment to strengthen its security and counter-terrorism capacities.

Sokhonn said this assistance is important for ensuring the safety and security of the dignitaries and delegates attending the ASEAN-related events in Cambodia in 2022 and beyond.

“As the ASEAN chair, Cambodia is fully committed to working closely with other ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, including Japan, to address critical economic, political, and security challenges in our region,” he added.

During the ASEAN-Japan Summit last week, Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed Cambodia’s support for Japan’s proposal to convene the ASEAN-Japan 50th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Japan in 2023.

“I strongly believe that support for Cambodia’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022 will consequently contribute to the achievements of ASEAN in maintaining peace, stability, security and further accelerating ASEAN Community building,” Sokhonn said.

At the 24th ASEAN-Japan Summit on October 27, Hun Sen announced that as the chair of ASEAN in 2022, Cambodia will continue to maintain and enhance ASEAN and Japan’s “strong relationship” to build even closer and more enduring ties.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES