​Joint media release - The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and His Excellency Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Cambodia.

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Cambodia will further strengthen co-operation on irregular migration, people smuggling and trafficking.

The agreement between Australia and the Cambodia was signed by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton and visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior His Excellency Sar Kheng today at Parliament House.

Mr Dutton said this agreement will create a framework to guide cooperation between the two countries covering a range of areas of immigration including technical assistance, exchange of experts, bilateral projects and activities.

“It also provides for regular consultation and information sharing on transnational criminal issues that affect the two countries,” Mr Dutton said.

“This new MoU is further evidence of the increasing ties between Australia and Cambodia and follows on from the MoU signed last year on the settlement of refugees in Cambodia.

“The agreement represents the renewed determination by Australia and Cambodia to work closely to counter the growing security threat posed by transnational crime and illegal migration practices.”

His Excellency Sar Kheng welcomed the MoU as a clear example of Cambodia’s commitment to work with Australia and other concerned countries on the problems associated with people smuggling and to share information and expertise.

“This MoU will enhance the effectiveness of the Australia-Cambodia Immigration Forum, through which both our Governments engage in bilateral projects and activities, including technical projects to develop our capacity to fight this growing international criminal activity,” His Excellency Sar Kheng said.

Both Ministers agreed that their ultimate objective was to promote the legal movement of people across their respective borders.