Cambodian, U.S. naval senior officials talk to boost ties

 

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 26, 2012 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian and the United States naval senior officials met here on Friday afternoon to strengthen and broaden bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries' navies.

The meeting was made between Cambodian Royal Navy's Commander Admiral Tea Vinh and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

It was the first time Mabus made his official visit to Cambodia.

Tea Vinh highly spoke of good relationship between the two sides' navies and thanked the United States for supporting Cambodian Royal Navy in materials and capacity building.

He said that since 2007, the U.S. Navy ships have officially visited Cambodia for 22 times with 25 warships for joint exercises.

He said Cambodia is still facing the shortages of modern materials, equipment, and ships in defending maritime territory and the country is committed to fighting against all forms of maritime crimes including terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and weapon smuggling.

Meanwhile, Mabus said the two navies have had very strong relationship and he believed that the ties would be stronger in the future.

He said that joint exercises between the U.S. and Cambodian naval forces have helped build professionalism and capacities for both sides.

Mabus added that in the next few years, about 60 percent of U.S. fleets will be deployed in Asia-Pacific and the United States is growing the number of the naval ships in the Asia-Pacific to at least 300 ships so that the United States and Cambodia will have more opportunities to work together to fight against terrorism and other forms of maritime infringements.

Editor: Lu Hui