Cambodian Defence Minister Visits Australian Military Sites to Bolster Defense Cooperation

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, General Tea Seiha, is undertaking an official visit to Australia from September 6 to 10, aiming to deepen defence cooperation and broader bilateral relations between the two nations. This marks Gen. Seiha’s first official trip to Australia as defence minister. During the visit, Gen. Seiha is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. Senior defence officials from both sides will also convene a roundtable discussion focused on military cooperation and regional security. The agenda for these discussions is expected to encompass key areas such as maritime security, cyber defence, information sharing, military education and training, and defence policy. On September 7, Gen. Seiha, accompanied by senior officials from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, visited HMAS Kuttabul naval base in Sydney. They were received by Commodore Bradley Smith of the Royal Australian Navy. The delegation also paid a visit to the Australian War Memorial on September 8, where Gen. Seiha laid a wreath during the Last Post Ceremony, paying tribute to fallen Australian service members. The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia stated that the visit reaffirms the "historic and friendly relations" between the two countries and will foster closer military cooperation. Officials noted that Cambodia and Australia are working towards elevating their bilateral relationship to a "Comprehensive Partnership" in the near future. This visit underscores the broader efforts by both nations to strengthen cooperation on regional security and defence issues, amidst growing attention to challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Source: Kampuchea Thmey English