Singapore leaders congratulate Cambodia on 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations
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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during an official lunch at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 2, 2025.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE - Singapore’s leaders sent congratulatory messages to Cambodian leaders on Sept 15, as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations the same day.
In a letter addressed to King Norodom Sihamoni, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two nations, rooted in the close ties between Cambodia’s former king Norodom Sihanouk and Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
“Cambodia’s early recognition of Singapore’s independence laid the foundation for a relationship built on trust and mutual respect,” said Mr Tharman.
“Over the decades, our partnership has strengthened through active engagement and cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas. I am confident that these enduring ties will continue to flourish for the benefit of our peoples.”
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong noted, in his letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, that Singapore and Cambodia share a “deep and enduring partnership built on mutual respect, trust and close collaboration”.
He added that the ties between the two countries
PM Wong said he is confident the partnership between the two countries will “continue to flourish in the years ahead and bring tangible benefits to both our peoples”. “I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our cooperation, both bilaterally and within Asean,” he said.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also wrote a letter to his Cambodian counterpart, Mr Prak Sokhonn.
In his letter, Dr Balakrishnan noted the deepening cooperation between the two countries since 1965 and said: “Strong economic linkages, close people-to-people ties, and growing collaboration in human capital development have anchored our partnership, while new areas of cooperation in energy and food security have added new depth to our relations.”
Dr Balakrishnan added that the two countries have worked closely together to promote regional stability and growth as members of Asean.
“I am confident that Singapore-Cambodia ties will reach even greater heights in the years ahead,” he said.
