SIHANOUKVILLE (AFP) – A United States (US) warship docked in Cambodia yesterday, in the first American military port call in the Southeast Asian country in eight years.
AFP reporters saw Cambodian navy personnel welcoming the USS Savannah’s arrival to the southern port city of Sihanoukville yesterday.
The US ship’s commanding officer Daniel A Sledz said “it is great to be back, returning US presence here after eight years”, adding that his crew were “very pleased” to be hosted by Cambodia.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said on Friday that the five-day visit aims to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation”.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said 27 US navy vessels have visited the nation since 2007, although the USS Savannah’s visit with 103 crew members was the first docking in eight years.
The ship’s senior officers will meet with the Ream base’s commander.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia in June to reset ties.
Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and the US embassy’s Bridgette Walker last week hailed the “reinvigoration” of military ties between the two countries.
