Phnom Penh: Andrew Byers, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for South and Southeast Asia, held constructive meetings with Cambodian military and government officials during a two-day visit to Cambodia from June 24-25, 2025.
In Phnom Penh, DASD Byers met with Vice Admiral Tea Sokha, Commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy; H.E. Lt. General Rath Dararoth, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense; LTG Suon Samnang, Chairman of the Military Cooperation Coordination Group; and LTG Phat Vibolsopheak, Director of the International Relations Department of the MoND. He also engaged with Eat Sophea, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In his meetings, DASD Byers and senior Cambodian officials covered the next steps in strengthening U.S.-Cambodia military ties following discussions between Department of Defense officials and Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last month. They also discussed future planning for the Secretary of Defense’s visit to Cambodia to see the first U.S. Navy vessel dock at the re-opened Ream Naval Base later this year. This was a very productive visit to advance bilateral defense relations.
DASD Byers separately met with alumni of U.S. professional military exchange programs and toured the facilities at Ream Naval Base on Cambodia’s south coast.
Photo: Supplied
