Cambodia says cooperation with Japan will enhance country's defense capacity

English.news.cn   2013-12-17 21:10:28

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The newly-signed defense cooperation deal between Cambodia and Japan would help Cambodia strengthen capacity in national defense, a senior official said Tuesday.
The two countries inked a memorandum on defense cooperation during the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Japan from Dec. 15-17, Kao Kim Hourn, minister attached to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said in a news conference on Tuesday at Phnom Penh International Airport upon the premier's arrival from Japan.
"It was the first-ever defense cooperation between Cambodia and Japan," he said.
Under the deal, Japan would assist Cambodia develop military human resources, particularly in mine clearance, and in other fields.
During the visit, Hun Sen and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe agreed on Sunday to upgrade relationship between the two countries to a "strategic partnership," he added.
Abe also pledged 134 million U.S. dollars in new loans for three infrastructure projects in Cambodia.