Cambodia’s PM leaves for Europe amidst everything-but-arms trade status review

PHNOM PENH, Oct 14, 2019, The Khmer Times. Prime Minister Hun Sen left for Europe yesterday to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria amidst the possible suspension of the Kingdom’s Everything-but-arms trade status, reported The Khmer Times.

The European Commission launched a six-month monitoring period of the EBA in February due to perceived democratic and human rights setbacks after the Supreme Court in 2017 dissolved the former opposition CNRP and banned its senior members from politics. It is currently drafting conclusions on whether or not the EBA should be suspended.

Mr Hun Sen said on Facebook yesterday he is in Europe until Thursday.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry press release issued on Friday said Mr Hun Sen will first pay an official visit to the Czech Republic from Sunday to Monday after he was invited by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

It said both prime ministers will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest.

It noted that afterwards, Mr Hun Sen and Mr Babiš will witness the signing of several documents on bilateral cooperation and hold a joint press conference to announce its contents.

Mr Hun Sen is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Jaroslav Kubera, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic, during his time there.

On Tuesday, Mr Hun Sen will attend the Third Budapest Water Summit in Hungary following an invitation by President János Áder.

The summit will provide an opportunity for world leaders and participants to share experience and exchange views on how to overcome current regional and global challenges to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, particularly on preventing water crises.

Mr Hun Sen is expected to address the opening session of the summit by focusing on Cambodia’s priorities, strategies, and clear work programmers towards achieving effective and sustainable water resources management and development.

“His remarks will also address the needs for the shared efforts in water security and environmental sustainability, and other challenges, such as global warming, overpopulation and conflicts over trans-boundary water use,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Mr Hun Sen will then pay an official visit to Bulgaria until Wednesday and pay a courtesy call on President Rumen Radev.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said Mr Hun Sen was invited by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen will hold official talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, during which various bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interests and common concerns will be discussed.”

“At the conclusion, the two Prime Ministers will witness the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents,” it added.

Mr Hun Sen’s trip to Europe is made amidst the European Commission’s review of the Kingdom’s Everything-but-arms trade status.

With duty-free access under the EBA, the EU is Cambodia’s biggest market for textile and garment products, bicycles and agricultural products. In August, then-EU Ambassador George Edgar said the EC will take three months drafting conclusions.

“The conclusions will be shared with Cambodian authorities, who will have one month to respond. Following that, the commission will make a decision by February 12, 2020 as to whether or not to suspend part or all of Cambodia’s access to EBA preferences,” Mr Edgar said.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, yesterday said he is optimistic Mr Hun Sen’s trip will save the EBA from suspension.

“Even though the Prime Minister’s visit to those three countries is for bilateral meetings, the visit will help strengthen Cambodia-EU relations, which have been rough due to the EBA issue,” Mr Phea said. “Those countries have expressed support for Cambodia to keep its EBA status. They have always supported Cambodia, especially in the 1980s, before the Paris Peace Agreement.”

“I think his visit will bring positive things to Cambodia,” he added.

Tags: Cambodia