PHNOM PENH (AFP) – A United States (US) warship will dock in Cambodia next week, the country’s Defence Ministry said yesterday, in the first American military port call in eight years.
Washington’s relationship with Phnom Penh has been deteriorating for years.
In a statement, the ministry said the USS Savannah’s visit to the southern port city of Sihanoukville aims to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and the United States”.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said 27 US navy vessels have visited the nation since 2007, but that next week’s five-day visit would be the first docking in eight years.
Members of the ship’s 103 crew will meet with Ream’s commander and engage in activities to “enhance the exchange of culture and cooperation”, the statement said.
