Cambodia and Indonesia are seeking to foster stronger ties through the 5th meeting of the two countries’ Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), underway in Phnom Penh on August 20 and 21.

The occasion is co-chaired by Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.

The event will serve as an opportunity to review progress since the 4th JCBC meeting, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2018, including the implementation of its agreed minutes. It will also be a chance to set future directions to advance the long-standing relations between the two countries and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, said the foreign ministry, in an August 19 press release.

“The two ministers will discuss in-depth the goal of further fostering strong ties across the board in all fields such as trade and investment, agriculture, education, health, labour, environment, transport, tourism, culture and political-security cooperation. 

“Regional developments and international issues of common interest and concern are also on the agenda,” it said. 

The 5th JCBC meeting coincides with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Indonesia.

During her stay in Cambodia, Marsudi is also set to meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Ek Bunly, a researcher at the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS), noted that the 5th JCBC meeting highlighted the focus that Phnom Penh and Jakarta have placed on strengthening their bilateral ties. He believed the agenda of the meeting would be an opportunity for both nations to revisit their bilateral trade policies, foster people-to-people relations, and also examine new potential areas for security cooperation.

“I think security ties between Indonesia and Cambodia should be strengthened, as well as economic and political relations,” he said.

“Indonesia is a potential rising middle power that could play an important role in Southeast Asia regional security in the future, while Cambodia is looking to strengthen her military experience without any controversial involvement from the global powers,” he told The Post on August 20.

Bunly explained that security cooperation between the two countries will likely invite less controversy or criticism from the great powers, such as China and the US. It will also foster Indonesia and Cambodia bilateral security and provide valuable experience in the future.

“Excellent bilateral relations between Indonesia and Cambodia will work both ways. On the one hand, Cambodia will be able to cement a good partner, a de factor leader of ASEAN. In addition, Indonesia will be able to expand its reputation in the Kingdom, alongside the other mainland Southeast Asian countries,” he added.