Cambodia and Canada discussed ways to further boost relationship and cooperation in both the bilateral and ASEAN frameworks during the first Bilateral Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries co-chaired by His Excellency CHUM Sounry, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation of Cambodia, and His Excellency Alan Bowman, Director-General for Southeast Asia and Oceania of the Global Affairs of Canada, in Ottawa, on 5 September 2024. 

The two sides reviewed the existing cooperation andhighlighted the actions to be followed up on some areas, which include trade and investment, demining, consular affairs and tourism, Francophonie, and werecommitted to working more closely as “trusted partner”. The ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership and ASEAN-Canada FTA were also touched on.

During the consultations, Secretary of State Sounry was also briefed on Canada’s Indo Pacific Strategy by His Excellency Weldon Epp, Assistant Deputy Minister for Indo Pacific of the Global Affairs of Canada.

Besides, Secretary of State Sounry had an exchange of views and discussion on some regional and international issues of common interests and concernswith Her Excellency Sandra McCardell, Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, in aluncheon hosted by the latter. 

It should be noted that the Cambodian delegation was also joined by His Excellency RATH Saravuth, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, and Mr. Kim Chan Phirum, Cambodian Honorary Consul in Montréal.