PHNOM PENH: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Internal Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia,Prak Sokhonn had a phone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Dr. Vivian Balakhishnan on Thursday, 13 January.

The two prime ministers looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat which will be the first major meeting among the 10 member states under Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022.

Moreover, both sides have discussed the development in Myanmar. Cambodia’s deputy prime minister has briefed Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan on the outcomes of the visit of Prime Minister Hun Sen to Myanmar from 7 -8 January, 2022, which was an important step to pave the way for an exclusive dialogue among all parties.

The Kingdom’s deputy prime minister has also informed about Prime Minister Hun Sen proposed ASEAN troika Mechanism to help the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar to implement the ASEA 5-Point Consensus (5PC), particularly to end violence, pursue peaceful dialogue, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need.

In response, Singapore’s Foreign Minister has acknowledged Prime Minister Hun Sen’s goodwill in dealing with Myanmar crisis and has reassured Singapore’s support and readiness to work with Cambodia in implementing the 5PC which is linked to maintaining and upholding ASEAN credibility and relevance. He has also welcomed the expressed willingness to cooperate between the Special Envoy of the United Nation’s Secretary-General on Myanmar and the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair in Myanmar.

Dr. Vivian Balakhisnan, however, has expressed concern over the latest developments in Myanmar which are not favorable to achieve further progress on the 5PC and Myanmar’s political representation at ASEAN meeting.