Prime Minister Hun Sen asked his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida to increase international cooperation in the field of peacekeeping between the two countries by providing more training to Cambodian peacekeepers.

The request was made during a meeting between the two prime ministers via video conference to discuss bilateral cooperation on Dec. 1, according to Hun Sen’s Facebook post.

“[Hun Sen] asked the Japanese Prime Minister to push for more cooperation between peacekeepers of the two countries and especially in the training of Cambodian peacekeepers,” the post said.

Hun Sen also thanked the Japanese government and people for their development assistance to Cambodia – especially recent efforts to fight Covid-19 – including vaccines, ambulances and medical supplies.

He recalled the history of cooperation between the two countries in the modern era, which included Japan’s dispatch of peacekeeping forces to Cambodia in 1992 – a particularly significant gesture on Japan’s part given that it was the first time he had sent his soldiers abroad since the fall. of the Japanese Empire at the end of World War II.

Hun Sen and Kishida agreed that they would find a suitable way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of this historic event when it happens next year.

During the virtual meeting, Hun Sen also urged Japan to continue offering scholarships to Cambodian students and encourage additional Japanese investment in Cambodia by the private sector.

He also looks forward to meeting Kishida in person next year when Cambodia chairs the ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh.

“Cambodia is proud to be a faithful friend of Japan,” Hun Sen said.

He added that Cambodia and Japan forged formal diplomatic relations for the first time on January 9, 1953. Under the current Cambodian government in the modern era, bilateral relations subsequently improved and expanded and the two nations are became strategic partners in December 2013 after Hun Sen’s visit to Japan. .

After Cambodia’s civil war ended, Hun Sen said, Japan supported the country’s peacebuilding and national development efforts, which served as the foundation for the loyal friendship that exists today.

“The relationship continued to grow and is now even deeper in the areas of politics, security, economy, human resources and cultural exchanges,” Hun Sen said.

Heng Kimkong, a doctoral student at the University of Queensland and a visiting senior fellow at the Cambodia Development Centre, told The Post that Japan played a crucial role in Cambodia’s post-war development and continues to play a role. important in helping the country.

“Thus, it is essential that Cambodia engages Japan as much as possible and seeks Japan’s support in various fields, including training its UN peacekeepers,” he said.

The president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, Pa Chanroeun, told the Post that 28 years ago, Cambodia was a country that needed the help of UN peacekeepers and administrators. to organize its elections, draft a new constitution and form a new government. Japan, he said, was one of the countries that stepped up aid to Cambodia.

Now, he added, Cambodia has come a long way in terms of development and can be very proud of the fact that it is now able to send peacekeepers to help other countries that are currently facing chronic conflict, instability and insecurity.

“I believe Hun Sen’s request to Japan is positive and reflects our history of good relations and will help to increase the capacity, expertise and confidence of our Cambodian peacekeepers for future operations,” he said. .