Cambodian Deputy PM Meets New US Ambassador, Discusses Strengthening Economic and Security Cooperation

On the afternoon of Monday, July 20, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), received Ms. Aleksandra Zittle, the new Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and her colleagues for a courtesy call and working discussion. This meeting took place on the occasion of Ms. Zittle's assumption of her diplomatic mission in Cambodia. To begin, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol extended a warm welcome and congratulated Ms. Zittle on her appointment and the trust placed in her by the U.S. administration for her diplomatic tenure. He highlighted the cooperation between Cambodia and the United States, specifically mentioning the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), noting Cambodia as the first country in the region to sign this significant agreement aimed at enhancing business environment predictability and fostering open markets between the two nations. Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed the historic Air Transport Agreement (Open Skies), signed on June 30, 2026, in Washington D.C. This agreement, the first of its kind for bilateral air traffic, is designed to modernize civil aviation, establish direct flight connections, and improve air cargo services between the two countries. In response to the Deputy Prime Minister's warm welcome, the Chargé d'Affaires expressed her profound gratitude and delight at returning to Cambodia for her diplomatic mission. She recalled her previous tenure as the Political-Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy and expressed her personal interest in Cambodia's socio-economic development, noting the significant progress and changes observed compared to her prior assignment. Ms. Zittle also conveyed her admiration and high regard for the Cambodian government and the Deputy Prime Minister for their vigorous efforts in maintaining national peace, stability, and positive macroeconomic growth, especially amidst global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on several key areas: (1) promoting bilateral trade volume, (2) enhancing the flow of U.S. investment into Cambodia, (3) the current status of the Funan Techo Canal multi-purpose water resource management project, (4) the Cambodian government's firm commitment to eradicating technology-based fraud, and (5) Cambodia's strong stance on peacefully resolving border disputes with Thailand through international law and existing bilateral legal mechanisms. Concurrently, Ms. Zittle reaffirmed her support for Cambodia's clear position on utilizing international law and existing bilateral legal mechanisms to resolve border disputes peacefully and transparently, aiming to maintain stability and security throughout the region. The working meeting concluded in a cordial and open atmosphere, clearly reflecting a mutual strong will to further strengthen friendly ties and expand the framework of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, making it deeper, more robust, and mutually beneficial, thereby contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of both Cambodia and the United States in the future. Source: CEN Cambodia