Brussels: At the invitation of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea took part in the Fourth EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels this week. The forum on Thursday and Friday brought together foreign ministers and representatives of 67 countries and EU institutions, marking an important milestone in advancing strategic cooperation between the two regions.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, delegates discussed security priorities amid geopolitical developments; shared prosperity, economic security, and digital connectivity; and common endeavours for a clean and sustainable future. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of aligning ASEAN's long-term vision for 2045 with the EU's Global Gateway initiative. Additionally, he highlighted the need to enhance cooperation in the digital economy, connectivity, supply chains, and the green transition.
With growing risks of cybercrime, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized Cambodia's call for strengthened cooperation in cyber security alongside digital connectivity, and he welcomed the signing of the UN Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi last month. Ahead of the forum, he attended an ASEAN-EU working lunch hosted by H.E. Ms. Kallas, where discussions centered on reinforcing resilience, advancing security and economic cooperation, and upholding an open rules-based regional order amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
The Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed ASEAN and the EU's commitment to dialogue, mutual trust, and cooperation as the foundation for preserving peace and stability in both regions. He also reiterated Cambodia's strong commitment to working closely with all ASEAN members and the EU to ensure the partnership continues to serve as a stabilizing force amid the complex global environment.
During his stay in Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister held bilateral talks with H.E. Vidmantas Verbickas, vice-minister of foreign affairs of Lithuania. Both sides welcomed the successful outcomes of the first bilateral consultations between Cambodia and Lithuania in Phnom Penh last year and looked forward to the second round to continue fostering dialogue and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Lithuania's proposal to strengthen human resource development and its scholarship programme with Cambodia.