Phnom Penh: 2023 may be the year that Cambodia and the United States become even closer after the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen and the US Ambassador to Cambodia Murphy discussed ways to improve bilateral relations.

This rare discussion is being held at the US Embassy and announced by the US Embassy on December 24, 2022.

The US Embassy said The United States appreciates Cambodia’s leadership of ASEAN during a year of global and regional challenges, support for the historic U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington D.C., hospitality for President Biden’s participation in the November Summits in Phnom Penh, and advocacy for the newly elevated U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

USA welcome Cambodia’s stance to uphold the UN Charter, defend territorial integrity, and co-sponsor UN resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Embassy Adds: "With a view to the new year, Ambassador Murphy and the Prime Minister discussed ways to improve the bilateral relationship. We look forward to a productive 2023 and continued efforts to strengthen friendship between the American and Cambodian people."

Cambodia-US relations began in 1950 at a time when the world was in the throes of the Cold War. This relationship has been seen as both good and bad since the beginning, in addition to that, as Cambodia and China get closer, the tensions of Cambodia-US relations are becoming more apparent. However, during a meeting with more than 2,000 Cambodians living in the United States and Canada in Washington DC on May 11, Cambodian Prime Minister stated that relations between Cambodia and the United States had reached a peak throughout history, both diplomatic and trade relations.

He believes that some issues that Cambodia and the United States have misunderstood will be able to mediate with each other. "Cambodia wants to be friends with all countries in the world, including the United States," he said.