Phnom Penh: The Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn has warmly received a courtesy call by counselor of the Department of State of the United States of America, Derek Chollet , at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Friday, 10 December.

In the course of the meeting, the deputy PM has expressed Cambodia’s readiness to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship and highlighted the country’s priorities across the three ASEAN Community Pillars. Mr. Prak Sokhonn has pointed up the theme “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challeneges Together” strives to promote ASEAN’s spirit as a united family with a high sense of “Togetherness” in upholding peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.

The deputy PM has welcomed the United States’ support for Cambodia’s roles as ASEAN Chair in 2022 and results to accelerate ASEAN Community building efforts and promote ASEAN’s external relations. Mr. Sokhonn also gave appreciation the U.S. continued commitment to upholding ASEAN Centrality as well as peace and prosperity in the region.

On his part, the counselor of the US Department of State, Derek Chollet reaffirms that ASEAN is central for the U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region, and he is looking forward to working closely with Cambodia as the incoming Chair of ASEAN in 2022. He has informed that the U.S. President Joe Biden is also looking forward to hosting the ASEAN-US Summit in Washington, D.C. in the very near future during which both sides will discuss a wide range of issues and agenda, including ASEAN-US dialogue relations. Covid-19 response and post pandemic recovery.

The conversation between the two diplomats has also covered regional and international issues of common concern and interest.