Cambodia kicks off the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and its related meetings today in Phnom Penh. PRAK SOKHONN VIA FACEBOOK
Cambodia kicks off the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and its related meetings today in Phnom Penh, with US secretary of state Antony Blinken set to attend from August 3-5.
“It will be a hectic week for all of the professionals and support staff involved. During this historic event, we seek urge understanding from local residents for the traffic congestion and other protocol arrangements,” said Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn today.
He said this once-in-a-decade duty is a milestone for Cambodia as a member of ASEAN, as well as an active contributor to this region.
Cambodia, as this year’s ASEAN chair, is hosting the event from from July 29 to August 5.
The related Meetings include the Meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free-zone Commission, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface Meeting with ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Representatives, the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners, the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 12th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum.
Blinken will attend the US-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Blinken’s visit to Cambodia is part of his ten-day journey to several countries. He will first visit the Kingdom, before going on to the Philippines, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda from August 2-11, according to a US state department press statement.
“The Secretary will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to discuss US support for ASEAN and efforts to strengthen our bilateral relationship with Cambodia. Secretary Blinken will also engage with alumni of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative,” the statement said.
US ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy said on July 29: “Our team at the US embassy is very much looking forward to a visit by secretary of state Antony J. Blinken to Cambodia next week for the ASEAN ministerial and bilateral meetings.”
