The First Round of the Bilateral Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was conducted on 31 October 2023 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and co-chaired by His Excellency Dr. CHEM Widhya, Secretary of State, and His Excellency Dominic Williams MBE, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
At the outset, the two Heads of Delegations signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Bilateral Political Consultations between the two foreign ministries.
His Excellency Dr. CHEM Widhya expressed his deep appreciation to the United Kingdom for the invaluable assistance to Cambodia over the years, which have significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of Cambodia, especially the assistance on education, heath, ECCC and demining activities. His Excellency Dr. Secretary of State also briefed Ambassador Dominic Williams on the latest political situation and economic development in Cambodia, in particular Cambodia General Election 2023, the Six Priorities Programme and Pentagonal Strategy of the new Royal Government of Cambodia. In response, Ambassador Dominic Williams applauded Cambodia’s remarkable progress and achievements and reiterated the United Kingdom’s strong commitment to continue enhancing cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral frameworks between the two countries.
Both agreed to work hand-in-hand to further strengthening and expanding new potential areas for future cooperation. They pledged to have more exchange of visits and continue regular Consultations and dialogue between the two countries. The two Heads of Delegations also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of common concern. They agreed that the Bilateral Political Consultations mechanism is essential to promote cooperation between the two countries. They looked forward to the holding of the Second Session of the Bilateral Consultation to be held in London next year.
