Cambodia, US New Chargé d'Affaires Discuss Strengthening Economic and Investment Cooperation

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) held a meeting on July 20, 2026, with Ms. Aleksandra Zittle, the new Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy to the Kingdom of Cambodia, to exchange views on bilateral cooperation. H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the CDC, warmly welcomed Ms. Zittle and highlighted the current state of cooperation between the two countries. He particularly emphasized the significance of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), which Cambodia is the first country in the region to sign, in enhancing business environment certainty and opening up free markets between the two nations. He also referred to the historic Air Transport Agreement/Open Skies, signed in Washington D.C. on June 30, 2026. This agreement is the first bilateral open-skies agreement, aimed at modernizing the civil aviation sector, creating direct flight networks, and improving air cargo transportation services between the two countries. Ms. Zittle expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and her pleasure in returning to serve in Cambodia. Recalling her previous tenure as Political-Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy, she noted the remarkable progress and significant changes in Cambodia's socio-economic development compared to her previous assignment. Furthermore, Ms. Zittle expressed her admiration and high appreciation for the Cambodian government and H.E. Sun Chanthol personally for their dynamic efforts in maintaining national peace, stability, and positive macroeconomic growth, despite the prevailing global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. During the meeting, both sides discussed and exchanged views on several key areas: (1) promoting bilateral trade volume, (2) enhancing the flow of investment capital from the U.S. to Cambodia, (3) the current status of the Funan Techo Canal 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 using international law and existing bilateral legal mechanisms. Ms. Zittle reaffirmed her support for Cambodia's clear position on resolving border disputes peacefully and transparently through international law and existing bilateral legal mechanisms to maintain stability and security in the entire region. The meeting concluded in a friendly and open atmosphere, clearly reflecting the strong mutual will to further strengthen friendly relations and deepen the framework of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, aiming for mutual benefits and contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of both Cambodia and the United States in the future. Source: AKP Khmer