The United States continues to support the preservation of culture and the arrangement for the return of antiquities lost to Cambodia in order to increase bilateral cooperation and contribute to the promotion of cultural heritage in Cambodia.
Support for cultural preservation and arrangements for the handing over of the artefacts was made during a working meeting between Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers Vongsey Vissoth, and US Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the ambassador praised and thanked Cambodia for voting in favour of the United Nations (UN) decision on the Ukraine issue. The US has noted that in the past, the US has cooperated extensively to strengthen and expand cooperation with Cambodia, respecting Cambodia’s sovereignty and independence.
The US will encourage more tourists to visit Cambodia and continue to contribute to the development and preservation of Cambodian culture, traditions and customs, the ambassador said.
The US will continue to return the artefacts and arrange for their return to Cambodia to its original owner, he added.
He also thanked the Cambodian government for cooperating in the search for US military remains in Cambodia and praised the achievements in preventing and combatting COVID-19, as well as the achievements of the official US assistance to Cambodia which has benefitted Cambodians.
Vissoth praised the bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and the US, although sometimes there are ups and downs, but the US is very important to Cambodia and Cambodia really wants to see improved Cambodia-US relations for the benefit of both countries.
“Cambodia and the US have many points where we can work together for the benefit of both parties. By always adhering to the foreign policy based on the UN Charter and International law, Cambodia does not support any countries’ abuse of weaker countries and violations of international law.”
He also praised US contribution to the preservation and development of culture and national heritage, such as the Bak Kheng and Preah Vihear temples, especially the return of artefacts from the US to Cambodia.
He praised the trade between the two countries in the past, and as a larger trading partner of Cambodia, the US has made significant contributions to economic development and improving people’s livelihoods.
He also requested the US side to encourage tourists and investors to visit and look for more investment opportunities in Cambodia. He also encouraged American tourists to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, as the government has designated 2024 as the year to visit Siem Reap.
Kin Phea, director-general of the Institute of International Relations of Cambodia at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that in the bilateral framework between Cambodia and the US, it is good to work together in the fields of culture, tradition, environment, training of youth and health at the local level to build better cooperation.
During the meeting between Cambodia and the US, they also discussed and exchanged views on strengthening and expanding cooperation and diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as within the framework of regional cooperation to strengthen prosperity, stability and peace in the region as well as in the world.
The two sides also discussed strengthening and expanding operational cooperation in the fields of education, economy, agriculture and environment.
They also discussed the fight against human trafficking, transnational crime and against drugs, especially the exchange of views on the democratic process and respect for human rights in the world, as well as in Cambodia.
- Tags: cultural heritage, United States
