Category: Politics

The President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, has expressed welcome to the supporters defected from the opposition party.

At the graduation ceremony of over 3,000 students of the Royal University of Agriculture, Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, and Kampong Cham National Institute of Agriculture in Phnom Penh this morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said they [defecting opposition supporters] are welcomed to join the ruling party in the national development.

“We welcome all of them, except one,” the CPP president underlined.

A number of intellectual supporters from the opposition party have one after another left their party and join the CPP, while Cambodia is going to hold the National Election on July 23, 2023.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen appealed here this afternoon to all supporters of the Candlelight Party not to take any actions against the law and social order as Cambodia is hosting the 32nd SEA Games.

“I would like to call on all supporters of the Candlelight Party to remain calm and not to act in accordance with the incitement and appeal of their party’s leaders,” he said in his voice message to the public through his official Telegram channel.

At the same time, Samdech Techo Hun Sen also warned to take legal measures to respond to any illegal acts of the leaders of the Candlelight Party.

The Candlelight Party on May 12, 2023 released a statement saying that at 3 o’clock today, it would go to submit additional documents at the National Election Committee (NEC) to register for the National Election in July, and gathering the party’s leaders, members, activists and supporters across the country for the so-called peaceful advocacy in case the registration failed.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen took this this opportunity to inform the public, especially the Candlelight Party’s supporters not to be deceived to join any illegal acts whether or not this political party can register at NEC successfully.

“I urge you all not to engage in any activities with the Candlelight Party’s leaders and I order the authorities at all levels not to allow any gatherings that violate the public order as Cambodia is hosting the SEA Games. The authorities and armed forces at all levels must be ready to take legal action against the Candlelight Party’s leaders, both at national and sub-national levels, who dare to go against the public order,” the Premier underlined.

“We cannot tolerate the irresponsible conduct of the leaders of the Candlelight Party. We would like to inform them at all levels that they will receive an appropriate response if they dare to disrupt the public order, particularly Cambodia’s reputation when the Kingdom has been successfully hosting the SEA Games,” he said. “We warn you to be careful of what you do.”

According to NEC, 20 political parties have registered their parties and candidates for the National Election on July 23, 2023, but among them, only 11 political parties have been officially approved, while for 9 others, including the Candlelight Party, NEC is reviewing their respective documents.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and his ASEAN counterparts at the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to continue enhancing the ASEAN Centrality and Unity in its engagement with external partners at a time of great uncertainty, and rapid evolving regional and global orders.

The reaffirmation was made known by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a news release issued this afternoon after end end of the two-day summit on May 11.

According to the source, the ASEAN Leaders also stressed the importance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in governing inter-state relations, and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. They also welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Panama, and Mexico to accede to the TAC, and hoped their signing will take place this year.

During the meetings, ASEAN Leaders reiterated their support for Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” and were pleased with the progress made in the realization of ASEAN’s priorities in 2023, especially in transforming ASEAN into a Community that is robust, agile, and equipped with strengthened capacity and institutional effectiveness.

“They also welcomed Indonesia’s priorities and initiatives, namely (i) Recovery and Rebuilding, (ii) Digital Economy, and (iii) Sustainability. The Leaders were also committed to make ASEAN a driver of global growth, and a force for peace through inclusive economic integration, digital transformation, sustainable development, financial stability, energy and food security, and human resource development. Further, they emphasised the importance of working with partners to advance the implementation of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific through concrete projects and practical cooperation”, it underlined.

Besides, the Leaders looked forward to the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation on December 16-18, 2023 in Tokyo, and the convening of a Special Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations in March 2024 in Australia. Moreover, they welcomed the proposal to hold the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in the second half of this year in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Samdech Techo Prime Minister, together with other ASEAN Leaders, also attended ASEAN Leaders’ Interfaces with Representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN Youth Representatives, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV). During the Interfaces, Samdech Techo Prime Minister highlighted the followings:

• ASEAN must respond to both regional and global challenges in a timely, effective and proactive manner, especially to those on which ASEAN cannot reach consensus without letting them affect the ASEAN Community Building process and regional integration.

• Strengthening the ASEAN Community shall not affect the fundamental principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, in particular the principles of decision-making based on consultation and consensus and non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States.

• The ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision needs to respond to the rapidly evolving regional and global trends such as the green agenda, digital economy, modern technology, global value chains, transport connectivity and logistics in order to make ASEAN future-ready and future-proof.

• While acknowledging the need to make the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision visionary, inspirational, and forward-looking, the Leaders underlined the need to strike a balance between pragmatism and ambition.

Most importantly, the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision should be action-oriented, and place the people at the center of the Community Building efforts.

• On Myanmar, it is important to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, and ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decision on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus adopted in 2022. Furthermore, ASEAN should maintain high degree of patience, flexibility and creativity, and explore any potential approach that may help Myanmar restore peace and return to normalcy.

• In the context of rising geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, ASEAN needs to enhance its relevance, and strengthen ASEAN-led mechanisms, so that it continues to play a central and leading role in addressing regional and global challenges. Cambodia also highlighted that ASEAN should welcome any initiatives from its partners as long as they are in line with the ASEAN Charter and the AOIP, contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, and will not be used against one another.

In his stay in Labuan Bajo, Samdech Techo Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on H.E. Joko Widodo, the President Indonesia. Samdech Techo Prime Minister also held bilateral talks with H.E. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam, and Timor-Leste Prime Minister H.E. Taur Matan Ruak, respectively, to exchange views on a wide range of issues of strategic significance to ASEAN and our bilateral relations.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

As of May 8, the National Election Committee (NEC) endorsed eleven among the twenty political parties registered for the National Election in July.

The update was shared in a news release issued by NEC on Tuesday.

The endorsement also included the list of candidates nominated by those parties to stand for the political race.

The eleven parties endorsed are Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Cambodian Youth Party, Khmer National United Party, Dharmacracy Party, Democracy Power Party, Cambodian Nationality’s Party, Khmer United Party, Khmer Conservatism Party, FUNCINPEC Party, Beehive Social Democratic Party, and People Purpose Party.

NEC is reviewing the filed applications by another nine political parties and will notify their decision later.

The 15-day registration of political parties and list of candidates for the incoming national election started from April 24 to May 8.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The following are the outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 26th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting and the 33rd ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting released tonight by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

“Outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,

the 26th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting

and the 33rd ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting

At the invitation of His Excellency Mohammad Mahfud, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, and Her Excellency Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Indonesia, His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), the 26th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting and the 33rd ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting on 09 May 2023, in preparation for the 42nd ASEAN Summit to be held on 10-11 May 2023 in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM)

The Ministers welcomed the strong interests of external partners in seeking to build relations with ASEAN, and noted with satisfaction the growing interest of countries outside the region in acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and that this reflects the recognition of ASEAN’s central and leading role in the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.

The Ministers looked forwards to the signing of Instrument of Accession to the TAC by Mexico, Panama and Saudi Arabia, along with Spain this year, and the reassessment of Serbia’s application. They also expressed hope that ASEAN would be able to reach consensus to support the Maldives to become a party to the TAC.

On ASEAN external relations, the Ministers supported Canada’s proposal to convene ASEAN-Canada Summit this year, and the establishment of ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership through the Joint Statement at the upcoming ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Canada in July 2023. They also looked forward to the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our relations.

The Ministers also exchanged views on how to further accelerate the progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), including the ASEAN Leaders’ Review and Decisions on the Implementation of the 5PC, which was endorsed at the 40th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh last year. Cambodia also underlined that the tragedies caused by growing violence in many parts of the country are a brutal reminder that we need to double our efforts to help Myanmar return into normalcy at the soonest possible. Facing this complex issue, ASEAN needs to be flexible, innovative and creative in exploring possible approaches that could advance the 5PC.

The 26th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting

The Meeting commended the progress in the implementation of the action lines of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025 with 99% completion, and encouraged the sectoral bodies to accomplish other remaining priorities. The Ministers noted that since 2021, the ASEAN Secretariat also monitored emerging issues such as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), cybersecurity, ASEAN’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda, as mandated by the APSC Council.

During the meeting, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of maintaining and promoting the ASEAN Centrality through the strengthening of ASEAN-led mechanisms for peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region. He also highlighted some of the most important traditional and non-traditional security issues such as transnational crimes, internet scams, money laundry, and illicit drugs, among others. He also urged member states to provide necessary supports to the ASEAN Regional Center for Mine Action (ARMAC).

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Ministers commended the works of the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), in particular its substantive recommendations on the strengthening of the ASEAN Community. In this regard, the Meeting looked forward to the completion of the Draft Vision Statement of the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 to be submitted to the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) in September 2023 for the in-principle endorsement.

The Meeting also reaffirmed the commitment to adhere to the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter, and that decision-making needs to be based on consultation and consensus. Further, the Ministers looked forwards to the outcome document of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting Working Group on Decision-Making Process (SOMWG-DMP) as soon as possible.

On Timor-Leste’s application for ASEAN membership, the Ministers endorsed the objective criteria-based Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN to be submitted to the Leaders for adoption at 42nd ASEAN Summit. The Ministers also underlined the need for member countries to assist Timor-Leste in fulfilling all the requirements, in particular through capacity-building programs, the soonest possible.”

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on May 6 met with voters in Ngo Quyen district, the northern port city of Hai Phong, ahead of the fifth meeting of the 15th legislature.

Local voters raised opinions on the draft Land Law (revised), environmental protection, the fight against corruption and wastefulness, cultural and tourism development, firefighting, incentives to businesses, and policies on education-training.

They were delighted at socio-economic achievements Vietnam and Hai Phong in particular recorded in 2022 and the first months of 2023 in the context of global uncertainties and COVID-19 pandemic impacts.

The top legislator said international friends have commended Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts, noting its corruption perception index has been improved significantly.

Regarding the draft Land Law (revised), Hue said the bill has been identified as a focus of the law and ordinance making programme of the 15th legislature, and that more than 12 million voters and people have given their feedback on the draft law.

According to the leader, the draft law will be further scrutinised at the upcoming session of the NA Standing Committee, and then the fifth and sixth sittings of the legislature, and it will be approved only when it satisfies set conditions.

On environmental protection, he asked competent agencies in Hai Phong to provide consultations for the municipal People’s Committee in issuing legal documents on household solid waste management.

The chief legislator also touched upon the public-private partnership in tourism and sports, preferential policies in tourism development, and incentives to lure talents to the education-training sector.

He lauded Hai Phong’s efforts in reforming administrative procedures and improving its business environment, and urged the city to make better performance in the work.

Later the same day, Hue and other officials pressed the button to inaugurate the convention and performance centre project and the technical infrastructure system in the North Cam River New Urban Area./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

State President Vo Van Thuong had separate meetings with British and Cuban leaders, as part of his trip to the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III from May 4 to 6.

The Vietnamese leader met with the UK’s House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, House of Commons Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly, and Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, among others British officials.

During the meetings, Thuong rejoiced at positive developments of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties.

The British officials shared their view on the significance of Thuong’s visit, stressing Vietnam is a leading partner of the UK in the region as the European nation is accelerating the implementation of its Indo-Pacific strategy.

They also noted with pleasure the dynamic developments of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership over the past more than 10 years in all fields, and agreed to continue increasing all-level delegation exchanges in all the channels of Party, State, Government, parliament and people-to-people exchange, while further fully and effectively materialising the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and bilateral cooperation mechanisms like the defence policy dialogue and the Vietnam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

The two sides expressed their wish to expand and deepen the bilateral cooperation in such potential spheres as national defence-security, green economy, climate change response and renewable energy.

Thuong suggested the UK help Vietnam in finance and technology, and raising the country’s capacity within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, towards fulfilling its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which took place in the UK in 2021.

Regarding cooperation at regional and international forums, the two sides agreed to closely coordinate and support each other in multilateral frameworks like ASEAN-UK cooperation, the United Nations, the UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The British officials affirmed their support for Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea, the settlement of disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China.

In a meeting with Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa, Thuong emphasised that the relationship between Vietnam and Cuba is exemplary in terms of purity, rarity, exemplar and loyalty. Mesa, for his part, said the bilateral political ties have been constantly consolidated and strengthened, as reflected through regular all-level delegation exchanges, and expressed his belief that the relationship will grow further in the time ahead./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency