Australia To Foster Online Scamming Cooperation With Cambodia

date_range 29-Mar-2024
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 Phnom Penh, March 29, 2024 --Australia is determined to further strengthen relations and cooperation with Cambodia, especially on security along the border.The determination was underscored by H.E. Justin Whyatt, Ambassador of Australia to Cambodia, while paying a courtesy call on Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha at the ministry on Mar. 27.The cooperation will focus on countering online scams and drug trafficking, as well as technology, economic, and transnational crimes.H.E. Justin Whyatt also highly commented on the Ministry of Interior for its security measures and support for the cooperation with Australia.H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha welcomed the cooperation and thanked the Ambassador, the Embassy of Australia to Cambodia, and the Government of Australia for their continuous contribution to Cambodia's security and development.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen Departs For Boao Forum For Asia Annual Conference 2024 In China

date_range 27-Mar-2024
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Phnom Penh, March 27, 2024 --Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King, is leading a high-level delegation to China's Hainan province to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, at the invitation of H.E. Li Baodong, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia.The delegation was seen off at Phnom Penh International Airport this morning by many dignitaries and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Wang Wentian.According to a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Samdech Techo will deliver a speech at the opening of the conference whose theme this year is "Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities."The forum brings together government, business and academic leaders with international and regional organisations to discuss major development issues and promote international cooperation, it said.On the sidelines of the forum, the source added, Samdech Techo will meet senior Chinese leaders including H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, H.E. General He Weidong, Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and Second Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and H.E. Feng Fei, Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.Samdech Techo is also scheduled to visit the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences and Wenchang International Aerospace City with the aim of fostering cooperation between Cambodia and China in the field of agricultural development and technology.Samdech Techo Hun Sen is accompanied by H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Member of the Supreme Privy Council, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, and H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, along with senior government officials and leaders from the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.

EU Reiterates Commitment To Support Cambodia’s LDC Transition

date_range 14-Mar-2024
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Phnom Penh, March 14, 2024 --The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to support for Cambodia’s graduation from the least development country (LDC) status and ready to talk with Cambodia’s side on the new trade scheme - EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).The commitment was made by H.E. Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, at a press conference held on Mar. 13 at Phnom Penh International Airport after concluding her fruitful visit in Cambodia.Commissioner Urpilainen’s two-day trip in Cambodia gave her the opportunity to take stock of the European Union’s longstanding cooperation with the Royal Government of Cambodia.H.E. Ms. Jutta Urpilainen said it was a pleasure for her to visit Cambodia and to discuss EU partnership with the Royal Government. Cambodia has come a long way in its development path, lifting millions of people out of poverty over the past two decades.“With the upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country status, Cambodia has now come to a critical juncture. The European Union is committed to its partnership with Cambodia, based on our values and on human rights principles, to accompany the delicate transition,” she said.The EU is ready to talks with Cambodia’s side over the new trade scheme - GSP, giving the Kingdom enjoys trade preferences after BA scheme ends when the country graduates from LDC status, she added.Starting at the highest political level, Commissioner Urpilainen had an excellent meeting with Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, followed also by one with H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea, DPM and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the new government’s priorities and its relationship with the EU.The Commissioner met with DPM and Minister of Economy and Finance, H.E. Aun Pornmoniroth, in a signing ceremony to launch four programmes supporting green transition in Cambodia, with a focus on promoting sustainable value chains, energy efficiency and renewable energy. These initiatives aim to promote the green transition and support the integration of Cambodian products into regional and international markets.She paid a visit to the Bakheng water treatment plant (a Global Gateway flagship investment in clean water, supported by the EU and France) and met with representatives from Civil Society. She also met with European Businesses on the opportunities to invest and work in Cambodia, and views on the business environment. 

Thailand raises flights with discounts for tourists For Thai New Year

date_range 12-Mar-2024
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Thai Airways plans to increase the number of flights to meet travel needs during its upcoming New Year celebrations.According to Sarun Benjanirat, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), 104 additional flights have been scheduled for the festival. Airfare discounts for all domestic flights will also be offered.Flights are scheduled to operate at major airports across the country, including Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. Because these extra flights will operate outside of regular hours, whether late at night or early in the morning, the airline will offer airfare at a discounted rate of up to 20% below the regular rate.

Foreign e-commerce providers in Vietnam pay more than $ 83 million in taxes in two months

date_range 12-Mar-2024
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In the first two months of this year, 67 out of 84 foreign e-commerce companies registered in Vietnam paid more than 2 trillion VND in taxes, according to Vietnam News ($ 83.3 million).According to a release by Xinhua. Ten more foreign service providers have registered for tariffs in Vietnam, compared to the end of 2023, the report said.To improve e-commerce tax administration, the department will continue to work with relevant ministries and agencies to manage foreign service providers and businesses that own e-commerce platforms, the department said. Last year, foreign suppliers in Vietnam paid more than 8 trillion VND ($ 323.9 million) in taxes, the department said.

UK Minister For The Indo-Pacific To Discuss Cooperation On Sustainable Development And Education On First Visit To Cambodia

date_range 04-Mar-2024
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Phnom Penh, March 04, 2024 --United Kingdom (UK) Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has been visiting Cambodia from Mar. 2-4 to strengthen cooperation on trade, economic development and education.According to a press release of the British Embassy in Cambodia issued on Mar. 3, during the visit, Minister Trevelyan will meet Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy and Finance H.E. Aun Pornmoniroth to discuss how the UK is supporting sustainable development in Cambodia, including green infrastructure.Trade and investment between the UK and Cambodia continue to develop, boosted by initiatives including the Developing Countries’ Trading Scheme, with annual two-way trade worth over £1 billion. Cambodia is also a priority country for the UK’s British Investment Partnerships programme, which encourages private sector investment into high-quality, sustainable infrastructure projects to support development.“I'm delighted to be paying my first visit to Cambodia, a country with an incredible ancient history and which has overcome more recent hardships to become one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN,” Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan said ahead of the visit. “The UK-Cambodia bilateral relationship is growing across various sectors and we are committed to supporting the country on the next stage of its development journey. I'm looking forward to hearing more about how our British Investment Partnerships work is delivering for Cambodia and the role of UK education in developing talent here.”British Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Dominic Williams MBE expressed his enthusiasm to welcome the UK Minister of State for Indo Pacific, Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, to Cambodia - the UK’s first Ministerial visitor since Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Manet’s government took office last August. The visit is a visible demonstration of our desire to deepen cooperation with Cambodia.“The UK is committed to supporting job-creating economic growth in Cambodia, through sustainable investment, development initiatives and trade. The visit will also be an opportunity for open discussion on key national and international issues. I’m pleased that the Minister will be able to hear from a range of Cambodians about the future,” he said.While in Phnom Penh, the Minister will visit the new sister campus of Leicester-based De Montfort University, the first UK university to open a site in Cambodia. The Minister will hear from university staff and other education providers ahead of the campus welcoming its first cohort of students later in 2024.Improving access to education for Cambodians, in particular women and girls, is a longstanding priority in the UK-Cambodia relationship. In addition to existing programmes, in 2023 the UK committed £30 million to increase access to education for women and girls across Southeast Asia. The funding will support around 100,000 women and girls, including through scholarships and additional classes, as well as teacher training to improve the quality of lessons.Signalling the UK’s respect for Cambodia’s rich history, the Minister will also visit the National Museum of Cambodia to see artifacts recently returned to Cambodia from the UK as well as the opportunity to listen to civil society organisations and their important work on good governance, transparency, protection, and empowerment of women in the country.

Hun Manet Engages in Diplomatic Visit with Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia

date_range 28-Feb-2024
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Phnom Penh On a recent official visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Hun Manet of the Kingdom of Cambodia was greeted by King Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the 17th King of Malaysia. The two countries' diplomatic ties and cooperative development are highlighted by this important summit.King Sultan Ibrahim acknowledged the increasing friendship between Malaysia and Cambodia and expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Manet's generosity during the visit. He expressed his best wishes to Hun Sen, the country's former prime minister, and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, emphasising the value of ongoing diplomatic ties between their two nations.On behalf of King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Manet expressed his sincere thanks to Sultan Ibrahim for the chance to talk about bilateral relations and paid his respects. In order to demonstrate Cambodia's dedication to democratic procedures, the leaders also discussed recent events in the nation, such as the results of the 5th Senate election.Moreover, opportunities to strengthen collaboration in a number of areas, such as commerce, economy, tourism, agriculture, defence, security, and education, were investigated by Prime Minister Manet and his counterpart in Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. In order to promote stability and growth on both sides, these talks are essential to improving the bilateral relationship.This diplomatic meeting between Malaysia and Cambodia promises to be a significant turning point in their shared histories and foster future mutual respect and enhanced partnership.

44 Malayan Box Turtles To Be Released Into Forest

date_range 22-Feb-2024
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Phnom Penh, February 17, 2024 -- At least 44 Malayan box turtles will be released in the protected forest in Cambodia to contribute to restoring the ecosystem in the area.The plan was shared in a news release issued on Feb. 15 by the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB).ACCB, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has been working on a conservation breeding programme for endangered turtle species, including Malayan box turtles.Some of their offspring, hatched and reared, have reached a size suitable for introduction to the protected forest, added the release.A joint technical team conducted health assessments of the 44 Malayan box turtles to make sure only those who were healthy would be released.The Malayan box turtle pilot reintroduction is a collaborative project with the Ministry of Environment, the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, ACCB, and WCS, with support from the Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation and Allwetterzoo Munster.

Australia Builds Capacity Of Young Water Engineers For Sustainable Access To Clean Water

date_range 16-Feb-2024
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Phnom Penh, February 16, 2024 —The Australian government has been assisting Cambodia in building capacity of young water engineers for sustainable access to clean waterAccording to the embassy’s news release, Australia’s flagship economic development programme, the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), organised a study trip for engineers-in-training to a water treatment plant in Kampong Cham province.The visit enabled 30 water and environmental engineering students and lecturers from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia to better understand the water supply chain.The participants gained insights into the legal, technical and financial aspects of clean water distribution. They also discussed how water supply intersects with critical issues such as gender equality, disability and social inclusion and climate resilience to empower communities.

Secretary-General Of ASEAN Attends The 27th ASEAN Tourism Summit And Other Meetings In Vientiane, Laos

date_range 26-Jan-2024
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 Phnom Penh, January 26, 2024 --On January 25, 2024, H.E Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, led the ASEAN Delegation to the 27th ASEAN Tourism Summit and shared views on ways to further strengthen sustainable tourism development, strengthening the quality of tourism professionals and people-to-people mobilization to boost the regional economy, especially to support the theme of Laos, the chair of ASEAN, “ASEAN: Strengthening Connectivity and Resilience in Vientiane, Laos.In the afternoon, H.E Kao Kim Hourn also attended the 11th ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers' Meeting, co-chaired by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos and the Ambassador of India to ASEAN. On that occasion, the ASEAN Secretary-General shared his views on strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and India under the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan.In the evening, H.E Kao Kim Hourn met with Her Execellency Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.Both sides welcomed the successful outcome of the recently concluded 27th ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting and stressed the importance of strengthening competitiveness and strengthening human resources to ensure the sustainability and resilience of ASEAN tourism.The Secretary-General of ASEAN also attended the Malaysian Night hosted by Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Cultur, H.E Dato Tiong King Sing.

DPM Sun Chanthol Meets Chairman of CMA CGM Group in Paris

date_range 19-Jan-2024
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Paris, January 18, 2024—-Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Sun Chanthol (L, Pic. 1), First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), shakes hands with Mr. Rodolphe SAADE, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, prior to their meeting in Paris, France this morning (Paris time).

Cambodian PM and Spouse Arrive in Paris for an Official Visit in France

date_range 18-Jan-2024
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Paris, January 18, 2024—-Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, accompanied by the First Lady Lok Chumteav Dr. Pich Chanmony, arrives at Paris-Orly International Airport for a two-day official visit to France on Jan. 17 evening (Paris time) upon successfully attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland.

VINCI Group Lauds Cambodia’s Peace and Political Stability

date_range 16-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 15, 2024 --VINCI Group has spoken highly of the peace and political stability in Cambodia, a key favourable condition for its investment in the Kingdom.The appreciation was made by Mr. Nicolas Notebaert, Member of VINCI Group Executive Committee and President of VINCI Airports, while paying a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in Paris this morning (Paris Time).Mr. Nicolas Notebaert briefed the Cambodian Premier on the progress of VINCI’s business activities in Cambodia and its plan to expand its investment in the Kingdom. He also thanked the Royal Government for providing favourable conditions for his company’s smooth operation.In reply, Samdech Thipadei highly valued the investment of VINCI Group in Cambodia, especially in the field of civil aviation for more than 30 years. He encouraged the company to expand its investment in other key sectors in Cambodia in order to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.VINCI Group is a leading investor in concession projects of energy and construction with eight major services: VINCI Autoroutes, VINCI Airport, VINCI Highways, VINCI Energies, VINCI Construction, VINCI Immobilier, Cobra IS.VINCI Group employs a total of 272,000 people and has 7,267 branches worldwide, of which 74 in the ASEAN region, including 10 in Cambodia. VINCI Airports is a subsidiary of the VINCI Group, which operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries in Europe, Asia and America.

Cambodian PM’s Official Visit to France to Enhance Both Countries’ Cooperation

date_range 16-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 15, 2023 --Official visit by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to France will deepen the cooperation in all fields between the two countries, said French Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Jacques Pellet.Talks and discussion are planned in meetings between the Cambodian Premier and French President, and heads of organisations and businesses. “Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit reflects the commitment in pushing the level of cooperation between the two countries,” he said at a press conference held on Monday at the embassy.“The discussions are focused on sharing of common sustainable development strategies, deepen Cambodia-France collaboration, as well as cooperation on clean water, energy, education, on which the two countries have worked together for more than 30 years,” he said.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet led a high-level delegation to attend the 54th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 16-17, before paying the official visit to France from Jan. 18 to 19.France is the first country in Europe and outside Asia that Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet visits since the assumption of his office.A business forum is scheduled to be held this week in Paris, giving floor to businessmen and investors to hear and see potential investment opportunities in Cambodia, according to the French ambassador. “The business forum will take place in line with the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in France. It is important for Cambodia to promote and attract more French investors and businessmen,” he said.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet is also scheduled to hold meetings with French companies during his stay in Paris.The French Republic is a major trade partner of Cambodia in the European Union. Bilateral trade between both nations was amounted to US$515 million last year, a year-on-year decrease of 5 percent, according to a report of the General Department of Customs and Excise.Most Cambodian exports to France are garments, footwear, travel goods, and agricultural products, while major imports include vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, construction materials, and furniture.

Cambodia, China to Kick-start the Year of People-to-People Exchange 2024

date_range 10-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 10, 2024 --Cambodia and China will kick-start a year of people-to-people exchange 2024 at the Terrace of the Elephants in Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province on Jan. 13.The planned event was shared by H.E. Prak Phannara, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, in a meeting in Siem Reap province on Jan. 9.He added that the event in 2024 was agreed upon following a meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, at the Belt and Road Summit in China.It does not only reflect a firm friendship between Cambodia and China but also serves as an indication of Cambodia as a safe country for visitors, especially Chinese tourists.According to the Deputy Governor of Siem Reap province Mr. Yun Linne, the authority of Siem Reap province is ready in terms of security and public order for the event.

International Rice Prices Up 21 Percent in 2023

date_range 08-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 06, 2024 --International rice prices climbed 21 percent last year amid climate concerns and the fallout from Indian export curbs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says."In December, the FAO All Rice Price Index rose 1.6 percent above its November level,” the UN agency said Friday."Indica quotations underpinned this increase, rising in response to purchases by some Asian buyers and reduced competition among exporters owing to India's export restrictions and tight availabilities in Viet Nam."According to the rice index, international rice prices registered a 21 percent annual increase in 2023, largely owing to concerns about the impact of El Niño on rice production and in the aftermath of export restrictions imposed by India,” the FAO added.

Vietnamese Authority Takes Action on Man Defaming Angkor Wat

date_range 05-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 05, 2024 --Hua Quoc Anh, a Vietnamese TikToker in Ho Chi Minh, has been fined VND7.5 million (US$306) by the city's authority for posting a video defaming the sacred Angkor Wat last year, according to VN Express.The Vietnamese authority announced the fine on Wednesday and warned him not to repeat the wrong and to comply with Vietnamese laws when using the Internet and social media.In November last year, Hua Quoc Anh posted a video on his TikTok account, which has 700,000 followers, featuring a girl wearing a traditional Thai costume and walking around the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.Hua Quoc Anh incorporated images of the Thai flag and king, and a voiceover said "Hello Thailand," sparking a wave of criticism in Vietnam and Cambodia.According to the Authority for the Protection of the Site and the Management of the Region of Angkor (APSARA National Authority), the video seriously defamed Cambodia's culture and heritage and requested the TikTok company to remove the video from the social media platform.Angkor is one of Southeast Asia's most important archaeological sites, stretching over 400 square kilometres, including forest areas and the Angkor Archaeological Park with the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

Cambodia International Debate 2024 Calls for Applications

date_range 03-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 02, 2024 --Cambodia International Debate and Public Speaking Championship 2024 (CamDEBATE 2024) has called for applications.According to CamDEBATE 2024’s Facebook page, applications are open for high school students (15 years old or above) and university students (23 years old or below) until Feb. 15, 2024 at www.camdebate.org or via the QR code.Winners will be awarded a two-week study tour to the United Kingdom, trophies, medals, certificate, one-year scholarships to study at the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) and other prizes.CamDEBATE aims to cultivate a healthy culture of dialogue and the sharing of different perspectives to foster understanding, friendship and knowledge among young people in Cambodia.Contestants will receive a series of training sessions in public speaking and debate skills with the aim to enhance contestants' confidence when speaking in public and to equip them with the necessary skills for their future careers, including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Cambodian PM to Pay an Official Visit to France

date_range 03-Jan-2024
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Phnom Penh, January 03, 2024 --Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, will pay an official visit to France on Jan. 18-19, at the invitation of the President of the French Republic, H.E. Emmanuel Macron.According to the Cambodian Premier's official Telegram channel, H.E. Emmanuel Macron on Dec. 31 sent him a letter inviting him to visit France, stressing that this first visit since his assumption of office as the Prime Minister of Cambodia will allow concrete progress in several important sectors that structure the bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of economy, development, defence, heritage and the Francophonie.“I hope that this trip will make it possible to further deepen our cooperation and diversify it, in order to manage, together, the global challenges we face, particularly in terms of energy transition. It will allow us to examine the means we can use jointly to strengthen the rules-based world order, which guarantees the sovereignty and full independence of all States,” wrote the French President.Las month, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni made an official visit to Paris, which, according to H.E. Emmanuel Macron, recalled the strength of friendship between the two countries and peoples.

How to improve the USA and the EU relations with Cambodia?

date_range 19-Dec-2023
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Phnom Penh 19-12-2023by Raoul M. JENNAREven if the USA and EU represent the two main markets for our exports, even if positive signals have recently emanated from the diplomacy of these two partners, their relations with Cambodia do not live up to the ambitions which are ours both in the area of political neutrality which is the foundation of our foreign policy and in the area of our economic and social development.Relations with the USA are deeply affected by the distant and recent past. As early as 1956, the USA decided to support those in Cambodia who wanted to overthrow the head of state, then HRH Prince Norodom Sihanouk. They supported several coups attempts and even an assassination attempt. Their role in the 1970 coup is obvious. From 1965 until 1974, carpet bombing and chemical warfare inflicted by the US Air Force caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Cambodian civilians and destroyed fully the country.In 1979, they condemned the overthrow of the Pol Pot regime by the Vietnam army which was protecting the national security of its country and responding to the call for help by thousands of Cambodian refugees. A condemnation of the overthrow of a regime by a foreign army which they had regularly approved before 1979 and which they will approve afterwards.Worse, for twelve years, they orchestrated at the UN a coalition which recognized one of the Pol Pot’s executioners as the only legitimate representative of a people of survivors; they imposed - with the support of Europeans and ASEAN countries - an embargo which deprived survivors of a genocide of the most fundamental rights to food, health, education, culture, work, housing, development; they supported a military coalition dominated by Pol Pot's forces that sought to destroy the reconstituting state in Phnom Penh.After the Paris Accords of 1991, they spared no effort to remove the CPP from power. Following their failure, they became the ardent supporters of an opposition characterized by its calls for racial hatred, insubordination, civil war, and the practice of fake news likely to cause unrest internally and with neighboring Vietnam. A policy of “regime change” was at work until the recent past. It served as motivation for deeply unjust sanctions.As far as the Europeans are concerned, the main criticism that can be made is that they have always faithfully followed the USA, without reservation and without nuance. Between 1979 and 1991, Western European countries provided real support to the military force dominated by Pol Pot, with the UK special forces even going so far as to provide instructors to the Khmer Rouge.It is the legacy of the past. A past that Cambodians do not forget. Today, the USA and EU criticize and sanction Cambodia for the weaknesses of the rule of law and the lack of independence of the judiciary, for limits to political pluralism and freedom of expression, for widespread corruption. They also accuse Cambodia of becoming China's "puppet", just as they accused it in the past of being Vietnam's “puppet”.Cambodians must provide frank and credible responses to these accusations. Allow me, as a Cambodian citizen, to provide my explanations.The Paris Agreements imposed the introduction, via the Constitution and adherence to international instruments, of a liberal democracy of Western inspiration. They even imposed the electoral system even though it varies according to Western countries. As if the country was accustomed to democratic practices when it never practiced them, neither before colonization, nor during it, nor after 1953. Democracy is established neither by an international treaty, nor by a Constitution. Dictatorial regimes have functioned with an exemplary democratic Constitution.The practice of democracy requires from a significant part of the population a sufficient degree of education to understand the imperative need to respect the laws and rules which organize society. Submitting to the law in all circumstances and whatever the position one occupies requires strong support from all levels of the population. This is far from being the case today in Cambodia where evading the law is practically a national sport. We cannot say that Westerners, from 1993 onwards, have helped Cambodians much to learn a respect for the law which they themselves took centuries to accept (to some extent). Westerners should have an honest approach to the issues they raise. Democracy, even if it is far preferable to any other regime, is a difficult exercise.A democracy can only function if, in addition to respect for the law, there is strong adherence to a national consensus on sensitive subjects. On the perimeter of the national territory, on the reality of the 1970 coup, on the nature of the genocidal regime of Pol Pot, on the liberation of the country on January 7, 1979, there is no national consensus. By supporting an opposition that fuels divisions on these issues, the US and EU have not helped the emergence of a peaceful democratic debate in Cambodia.There is no doubt that progress still needs to be made. But it is not with lessons and sanctions from powers that are far from exemplary that we make progress. It is by recognizing the efforts made and helping to take new steps that we move forward. Stop focusing on the empty part of the bottle. Help increase the full part!It is not by interfering and setting themselves up as judges that Westerners will obtain what they consider desirable for the happiness of Cambodians. Cambodians are not blind. They don't need givers of lessons that they apply once here and forget another time there.Cambodians know they still have a lot to learn and to improve. But they also know that they are the heirs of what was once a great Asian civilization. They believe they have the right to respect and dignity. This is what they get from China, an old and lifelong friend who, since Zhou Enlai, has never stopped defending the neutrality and independence of Cambodia and, in periods of peace, has never stopped give it generous help. Without monetizing his generosity in political or military support, contrary to pitifully polemical assertions.Couldn't the USA and EU do the same thing? Help, at the level as China does, to equip the country and to invest in industrial activities. Contribute much more significantly to the reconstitution of human resources whose terrible deficit created by the war and the Pol Pot regime was aggravated by the twelve years of the embargo that ended only 32 years ago. Train Cambodian youth, the vast majority, in the most modern industrial technologies and in techniques for managing a modern state. Cambodia is and will remain an Asian neutral nation. It will never be the satellite of a great power. It has no enemies, and it wants to be everyone's friend. With mutual respect. Is that too much to ask of it?