Assistant Secretary Kurt M. Campbell Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs today announced that Cambodia has assumed chairmanship in the upcoming the ASEAN Regional Forum in July 2012.
Mr. Campbell confirmed today that they will also be holding a fourth U.S.-ASEAN summit in November during the East Asia Summit proceedings.
United States and Cambodia work well together in so many ways.
In the past two years, bilateral relations between the United States and Cambodia have strengthened.
The U.S. supports efforts in Cambodia to combat terrorism, build democratic institutions, promote human rights, foster economic development, eliminate corruption, achieve the fullest possible accounting for Americans missing from the Vietnam War-era, and to bring to justice those most responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed under the Khmer Rouge regime, according to Wikipedia.
“We believe that the opportunities for cooperation on so many issues – the United States is deeply supportive of the connectivity initiative that ASEAN has initiated.”-Mr. Campbell
He stressed that the United States is looking forward to bringing a strong business delegation this summer to ASEAN. He added that the U.S. government is closely following all the preparatory works.
“I simply want to say that I believe that Cambodia’s role in so many ways is important this year.”-Mr. Campbell
He noted that Cambodia can play a key role in helping bring China and ASEAN together towards progress on the South China Sea issues, that will be of interest to all parties.
Mr. Campbell believes that Cambodia will be able to work closely on some economic initiatives that will bring ASEAN closer together with the goal towards the 2015 community that the organization aspires to.
“And I believe that Cambodia will help us identify clearly the role for the friends of ASEAN countries, like the United States and others, and how we can better support ASEAN unity, development, peace, and prosperity.” -Mr. Campbell
Mr. Campbell is looking forward to visiting Cambodia many times in the months ahead as they prepare for all leaders to come to Cambodia later this year.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or popularly know ASEAN is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia. It was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam through the years.
The ASEAN aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.
