PH, Cambodia firm up ties at 3rd Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation Meeting
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Loscin, Jr. (left) delivers an intervention at the 3rd Meeting of the Philippines-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation while Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn (right) listens.
MANILA, 06 December 2021 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. co-chaired the 3rd Meeting of the Philippines-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) on 02 December 2021 with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs (DPM/FM) and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.
During the meeting, which was hosted by Cambodia via video teleconference, Secretary Locsin and DPM/FM Prak Sokhonn exchanged views on further strengthening relations between the Philippines and Cambodia.
In his interventions, Secretary Locsin remarked that bilateral relations have grown by “leaps and bounds,” adding that he looks forward to a fitting commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations next year. He noted the need to deepen cooperation in agriculture, law enforcement, judicial matters, public health, and trade and investment, among others. The two ministers also agreed to resume high-level exchanges of visits as travel restrictions continue to be eased.
The Secretary also expressed appreciation for the Cambodian government's kind hospitality towards the approximately 7,000 overseas Filipinos in the country, most especially for facilitating their vaccination against COVID-19.
Secretary Locsin also expressed support for Cambodia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022 and welcomed Cambodia’s initiatives to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The ministerial meeting was preceded by a senior officials’ meeting between Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Secretary of State for Asia Pacific Soeung Ratchavy of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which surveyed the progress of bilateral ties since the last JCBC in 2017.
Secretary Locsin and DPM/FM Prak Sokhonn also witnessed the virtual signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce between Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Benedicto V. Yujuico and Cambodian Chamber of Commerce President Kith Meng during the meeting.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Cambodia were established on 20 August 1957. The Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between the said countries was established through an agreement signed on 16 August 2000. END
Secretary Locsin (upper left) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sokhonn (upper right) beam as they witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Benedicto V. Yujuico (lower left) and Cambodian Chamber of Commerce President Kith Meng.