U.S. Reaffirms Support for a Strong and Sovereign Cambodia

U.S. Reaffirms Support for a Strong and Sovereign Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, August 15, 2026 — The United States has reaffirmed its support for a strong and sovereign Cambodia, following a meeting between U.S. Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh said on Saturday that the meeting marked an important step toward strengthening U.S.-Cambodia relations, with both sides emphasizing mutual respect for national sovereignty and a shared interest in expanding practical cooperation that benefits the two countries.

Under Secretary Colby welcomed Cambodia’s commitment to implementing the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and expressed U.S. support for what Washington described as Cambodia’s “commonsense military reforms.”

The embassy said the renewed U.S. partnership with Cambodia would be “ambitious” and “interest-based,” while stressing that the relationship would respect Cambodia’s national sovereignty.

The statement signals Washington’s intention to deepen practical cooperation with Phnom Penh while placing sovereignty and mutual interests at the centre of the renewed bilateral partnership.

“The United States supports a strong and sovereign Cambodia,” the embassy said.