Foreign Secretary visits Cambodia to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation on global challenges

In his first visit to Cambodia, the Foreign Secretary has met Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, to set out the UK’s ambition for the UK to become an ‘ASEAN Dialogue Partner’, ahead of Cambodia taking up the Chair of ASEAN in 2022.

Dominic Raab has also met Environment Minister Say Sam Al to discuss climate change and Cambodia’s COP26 aspirations.

Speaking in Cambodia, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

This year marks 30 years since the UK reopened our Embassy in Cambodia and I am struck by the progress the country has made from its thriving business’ to standards of education and healthcare.

I look forward to building on these foundations, as Cambodia takes on the important role of ASEAN Chair next year.

ASEAN Dialogue Partnership would allow the UK to further strengthen relations with ASEAN countries, based on shared interests, constructive engagements, and mutual benefits, which can contribute to ASEAN’s Community building and development cooperation efforts.

Yesterday while in Hanoi, the Foreign Secretary delivered opening remarks at the 5th ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) on the UK’s ambitions for its “Indo-Pacific tilt” to an audience of more than fifty countries.

In attendance were several regional foreign ministers, including Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Son, Singaporean’s Foreign Minister Balakrishnan, Cambodian Foreign Minister Sokhonn, Laos‘ Foreign Minister Kommasith, Korea‘s Foreign Minister Chung, as well as the European Union’s High Representative Borrell, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Portugal’s Vice Foreign Minister, Zacarias.

The latest photographs from the Foreign Secretary’s visit to South East Asia can be viewed on Flickr.