PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released the outcomes of the meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and G7 foreign and development ministers, held on Sunday. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prak Sokhhon, attended the meeting at the invitation the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Minister of Women and Equalities of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth Truss. The Cambodian Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of ASEAN’s spirit as a united family of 10.

Cambodia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, highlighted the importance of ASEAN’s spirit as a united family of ten during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and G7 Foreign and Development Ministers. It was held in Liverpool, the United Kingdom, via videoconference on Sunday.

The Foreign Minister emphasizes that the move to push for ASEAN 10 is being inspired from Cambodia’s 2022 ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together.” He also touched on Cambodia’s key priorities and deliverables for the ASEAN community building process, and the immediate attention needed for the resolution of the crisis in Myanmar, which should be Myanmar-led. On this subject, he has informed the attending delegates of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s plans to visit Myanmar in early January.

The meeting underscored the need to advance strong ties and cooperation between ASEAN and G7 for the mutual interest of the people, and for shared peace and prosperity. Areas of cooperation discussed included the expedition of enhanced vaccine access and promotion of global health security, digital technology, infrastructure investment, addressing climate change, trade expansion, and regional security including in the maritime domain.

Minister Prak Sokhonn also emphasized Cambodia’s top agenda of creating an inclusive environment for dialogue and political trust among all parties, in order to achieve a common ground on the process towards ending violence and establishing peace.

On the subject of infrastructure, he noted the good momentum of the connectivity initiatives between ASEAN and the G7, including ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement. Finally, noting on the subject of security, the Foreign Minister has reiterated that ASEAN has always been an outward-looking regional grouping that acts as a cornerstone for peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond, for which Cambodia remains committed to upholding.