Cambodia, UK discuss expanded defense cooperation amid border concerns

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.19,2015) — Cambodia’s military chief met with the United Kingdom’s newly appointed defense attaché, with both sides pledging to deepen defense ties as tensions simmer along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

Gen. Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, held talks Nov. 18 in Phnom Penh with Col. Julian A.L. Smith, who is based in Hanoi and recently assumed his post as the UK’s defense attaché to Cambodia.

Pisen congratulated the envoy and said he was confident the appointment would strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.

He highlighted Cambodia’s long-standing diplomatic relations with the UK, established in 1953, and noted steady growth in bilateral trade and military cooperation.

He pointed to the UK’s continued support for Cambodian cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, describing it as a milestone in defense ties under Prime Minister Hun Manet, himself a former commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.

Pisen said Cambodia hopes to expand cooperation through military training, exchange visits, counterterrorism information-sharing, disaster relief coordination, joint exercises and future naval port calls.

He also briefed the British delegation on the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, reiterating Cambodia’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues peacefully and in line with agreed mechanisms.

Smith welcomed the ongoing training of Cambodian cadets in the UK and announced new scholarships for Cambodian naval trainees. He thanked the Cambodian government for facilitating previous visits of British naval vessels and confirmed another visit is planned for 2026.

On the border situation, Smith said the UK supports efforts to maintain calm through diplomacy and peaceful dialogue.

He noted that the international community is closely monitoring developments and commended Cambodia for what he described as its patience and adherence to international law.

Smith offered condolences over the deaths of Cambodian civilians in recent incidents and called on Thai authorities to release 18 Cambodian soldiers currently detained, saying they should be allowed to return home in accordance with international humanitarian law.

He said he would visit refugee sites in Banteay Meanchey province as part of a mission by the Military Attaché Corps to Cambodia.