Phnom Penh, June 4, 2024 - Hun Sen, the President of the Senate, emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation between the Ministries of National Defense of Cambodia and the United States, particularly highlighting the need to resume joint military exercises.

In discussions with US Secretary of State Lloyd James Austin III at the Phnom Penh Senate this morning, Hun Sen expressed gratitude towards the United States for its multifaceted assistance to Cambodia. He underscored the necessity of overcoming obstacles and enhancing cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations.

"We must continue our past collaborations, including dialogues between the Ministries of Defense and joint military exercises," affirmed Hun Sen.

Both leaders concurred on the imperative of sustained dialogue to chart a new course in Cambodia-US relations, aiming to identify avenues for deeper collaboration in the future.

Simultaneously, Secretary Austin commended Prime Minister Hun Manet's steadfast efforts in fostering defense ties between the two nations. He announced plans to reopen opportunities for Cambodian students to study at West Point, USA, along with facilitating military dialogues, joint disaster relief drills, demining initiatives, and defense dialogues to foster mutual confidence and address differences constructively.

President of the Senate Hun Sen lauded the impending dialogue initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of communication in dispelling mistrust and rebuilding confidence between Cambodia and the United States, particularly in defense cooperation.

As Cambodia and the United States embark on this dialogue-driven path towards enhanced collaboration, the resumption of joint military exercises emerges as a pivotal step in bolstering mutual understanding and trust.