AKP Phnom Penh, January 15, 2025 --

H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, exchanged views on enhancing Cambodia-Philippines bilateral ties in a phone conversation on Jan. 15 with H.E. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.

During this phone call, H.E. Prak Sokhonn and Secretary Manalo discussed the preparations for the upcoming official visit of Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister Hun Manet to the Philippines next month, and expressed confidence that the visit will significantly promote bilateral cooperation, including in the economic sectors, said a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, adding that they commended the ongoing efforts of the relevant agencies in ensuring the substantive outcome of the visit.

Both sides underscored the importance of high-level exchanges and recalled the productive meetings between Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister Hun Manet and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2023 in Indonesia and March 2024 in Australia, the source added.

According to the press release, the two Foreign Ministers reflected on the outcomes of the 4th Meeting of Cambodia-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in 2024 in Manila and expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made in bilateral relations.

Both Ministers expressed shared commitment to strengthen joint efforts in combating transnational crimes, including human trafficking and cyber scams. Secretary Manalo expressed gratitude for Cambodia's full cooperation and kind gesture in addressing the recent case of surrogacy involving Filipino nationals.

Both Foreign Ministers looked forward to an in-person meeting at the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Malaysia.

By C. Nika