Cambodia, US agree to boost bilateral ties

Cambodia and the US agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation during a recent visit to Cambodia by US President Barack Obama.
Cambodia and the US agreed to further strengthen bilateralcooperation during a recent visit to Cambodia by US President BarackObama.

Obama and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Senalso discussed a number of issues of common concern, including debts,human rights and democracy.

Prak Sokhon, a ministerattached to the Cambodian PM, told reporters after the meeting betweenthe two leaders, that Hun Sen mentioned an old debt of 162 million USDdating back to the time of Lon Nol regime between 1970 and 1975, sayingthat Cambodia wants to solve the problem through a bilateralmechanism.

The PM asked the US to forgive 70percent of the debt to Cambodia in order to help the country improvesocial development, education and cultural conservation.

For his part, Obama said he will assign some experts to work withCambodia to find a solution acceptable for both sides on this issue.He also mentioned the democratic process, human rights and Cambodia’s general elections next year.

Obama arrived inPhnom Penh on November 19 for the 4 th ASEAN-US Summit and the 7 thEast Asia Summit. Earlier, he visited Thailand and Myanmar. /.VNA

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