Yamaguchi Natsuo, the Chief Representative of Japan’s Komeito Party and a notable member of the House of Councillors in the National Diet of Japan, has publicly recognized Cambodia as a crucial influence and advocate for the fusion of peace and development on a global scale.
On the morning of July 15, Yamaguchi Natsuo made a formal visit to the Cambodian President of the National Assembly, Khuon Sudary. During this visit, he extended his congratulations to President Sudary on her historic election as the first female President of the National Assembly for its seventh mandate. He commended the advances under the guidance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, acknowledging the comprehensive peace and development that the country has achieved. Reminiscing about his experiences during the 1993 Cambodian elections under the United Nations mandate, Yamaguchi also recounted his involvement and support in mine-clearance initiatives within the country.
Responding to these commendations, President Sudary expressed her delight and appreciation for the visit, noting its significant potential to further bolster the bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and Japan, especially in terms of developmental support. She touched upon the profound and evolving connection between their peoples, a relationship that has fortified the ties between the National Assembly and the Royal Government, ultimately leading to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
President Sudary emphasized that principles such as honesty, transparency, law respect, accountability, and moral integrity are deeply valued by the populations of both nations. She highlighted the pivotal role of Japanese investments in Cambodia, which not only attract more international investors but also bolster economic growth and development in the region.
Expressing her gratitude, President Sudya thanked the Japanese government for its relentless pursuit of peace and for its substantial support in Cambodia’s developmental sectors. She detailed Japan’s generous provision of scholarships and vocational training opportunities – with over 20,000 Cambodian trainees, including 10,000 women, sent to Japan since 2017, and 1,631 scholarships awarded by the Royal Government of Japan from 1992 to November 2022.
She also acknowledged Japan’s significant contributions to Cambodia’s demining efforts, aimed at eliminating landmines by 2025 or 2030. President Sudary reminisced about her 1998 study visit to Japan, which gave her deep insights into the functioning of the Japanese National Assembly, further solidifying the cooperative relations between the two parliaments.
Reiterating the inseparable role of Japanese assistance in Cambodia’s current progression, President Sudary voiced her hopes for the enduring strength of the Cambodian-Japanese relationship under all circumstances – a bond she believes is essential for sustaining global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Aiding Cambodia’s endorsement of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy marks another substantial cooperative milestone, with Cambodia being the pioneering ASEAN country to support this vision. This support outlines the important, ongoing interconnections between these nations, as they continue to advocate for peace and development on a worldwide stage.
Source: Fresh News
