Newsletter Issue 25_ 13 - 19 June 2016 (2)

Weekly publication of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to UK, Denmark,
Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Ethiopia and African Union
ISSUE 25: 13-19 JUNE 2016
CAMBODIA’S REACTION
TO EU PARLIAMENT
RESOLUTION
JOINT STATEMENT ON OUTCOME OF VIETNAMESE
PRESIDENT’S VISIT IN CAMBODIA
With reference to the EU Parliament Resolution
No. 2016/2753(RSP) dated 9 June 2016, the
spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of the Kingdom of
Cambodia wishes to make the following
observations:
1. The Royal Government of Cambodia is
astonished to have read a document adopted
by the European Parliament which based on so
many false accounts. As we learn from the first
world, a judgment must be based on proved
facts and thorough investigations and not on
biased sources, rumors and politically
manipulated information.
Continued on page (3)
WHO COUNTRY
COOPERATION STRATEGY
FOR CAMBODIA 20162020 LAUNCHED
Cambodia and the World Health Organisation
(WHO) launched the Country Cooperation
Strategy 2016-2020 to improve the public health
in Cambodia late last week.
Addressing to the launching ceremony, the
Cambodian health minister said the five-year
strategy adds to Cambodia’s existing plan and
strengthens joint efforts to expand activities to
better the public health.
Continued on page (4)
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, greets visiting H.E. Mr. Tran Dai Quang, President of
the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, during an official reception at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh 15 June.
1. At the invitation of His Majesty Preah Bat
Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom
Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, H. E. Mr. Tran Dai
Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of
Viet Nam, and Madame Nguyen Thi Hien led a
high - level Vietnamese delegation to pay a
State visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia on 1516 June.
During the visit, President Tran Dai Quang had a
Royal Audience with His Majesty Preah Bat
Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom
Sihamoni. The President also met Samdech
Vibol Sena Pheakdey Say Chhum, President of
the Senate, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea
Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National
Assembly, and Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei
Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom
of Cambodia. President Tran Dai Quang also
paid a courtesy call on His Holiness Samdech
Preah Akka Maha Sangharajadhipati Tep Vong,
Great Supreme Patriarch of Mahanikaya, and His
Holiness Samdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha Maha
Sangharajadhipati Bour Kry, Great Supreme
Patriarch of Dhamayuttikanikaya of the Kingdom of
Cambodia and laid wreaths at the Independence
Monument, Monument of His Majesty Preah Bat
Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk “Preah Borom
Ratanak Kaudh” the late King Father of Cambodia
and the Monument of Cambodia – Viet Nam
Friendship.
2. In an atmosphere of solidarity, friendship, mutual
understanding and trust, leaders of the two
countries had extensive discussion s and exchanged
views on all dimensions of the relations of
friendship and comprehensive cooperation as well
as regional and international issues of mutual
interest of the two countries. Continued on page (2)
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ISSUE 25: 13-19 JUNE 2016
JOINT STATEMENT ON OUTCOME OF VIETNAMESE …..
President Tran Dai Quang congratulated the
fraternal Cambodian people on the enormous
and prideful achievements made in national
reconciliation and development. The President
expressed his deep conviction that under the
wise reign of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech
Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, and the
leaders of the Senate, the National Assembly
and the Royal Government of Cambodia, the
people of Cambodia would achieve greater
success in the course of national development
and would successfully organise communal
elections in 2017 and general elections to
select members of the National Assembly, sixth
legislature in 2018, contributing to realisation
of a peaceful and prosperous nation.
people to liberate Cambodia from the Khmer
Rouge genocide regime in 1979.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah
Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni and other
leaders of Cambodia congratulated President Tran
Dai Quang and through the President extended
congratulations and best regards to the newlyelected Vietnamese leaders, deeply valued the
first ever State visit to Cambodia by President Tran
Dai Quang, extolled the heroic struggle of the
Vietnamese people to safeguard and reunited the
country in the past, and congratulated Viet Nam
on remarkable achievements in national reforms
and development. The Leaders of Cambodia also
wished that the people of Viet Nam, under the
leadership of Viet Nam’s Communist Party and
State, would successfully realize the goals of
industrialization and modernization.
5. Both sides agreed to increase high-level
meetings and contacts, and exchange of
delegations at all levels; promote people-to-people
contacts, particularly between the people of the
border provinces. Both sides underlined the
importance of providing both people knowledge of
the traditions of friendship, solidarity and mutual
support
between
the
two
countries.
3. Both sides noted with satisfaction the excellent
progress of the friendly neighborliness and
comprehensive cooperation in recent years that
generated practical benefits to the two peoples.
President Tran Dai Quang underscored that
Viet Nam always values the good friendship and
strong support extended to the people of Viet
Nam of the late King Father Norodom
Sihanouk, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech
Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, the
leaders and people of Cambodia in the past
struggle for national independence as well as in
national development today.
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah
Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni and other
leaders of Cambodia expressed their deep
gratitude for the strong support and assistance
that generation of leaders and people of Viet Nam
accorded to the people of Cambodia in the past
and at present, and affirmed that they always
remember the assistance of the Vietnamese
voluntary soldiers in cooperation with Cambodian
4. Both sides pledged to continue strengthening
and advancing the bilateral relations under the
mantra of “good neighborliness, traditional
friendship,
comprehensive
and
lasting
cooperation”, fully observe the principles in the
Viet Nam-Cambodia Joint Statements in 1999, 2005
, 2009, 2011 and 2014, to respect each other’s
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,
non-interfering in each other’s internal affairs and
not allowing any hostile forces to use the territory
of one country to threaten the security of the
other, and settle all problems arising between the
two countries by peaceful negotiations.
6. Both sides agreed to instruct relevant
ministries and agencies concerned to collaborate
with each other to amend the mechanisms and
agreements in order to promote bilateral trade,
investment and economic connectivity between
the two countries. They also agreed to review
policies with a view to achieving US$5 billion of
bilateral trade in the coming years.
7. Both sides re-affirmed to continue to fully
implement Treaties and Agreements and MOUs on
border issues between the two countries, and are
committed to find once-and-for-all solutions to
remaining border sections along the Viet NamCambodia borderline in order to complete land
border delimitation and markers plantation as soon
as possible with an aim to build the borderline of
peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable
development between Viet Nam and Cambodia.
8. President Tran Dai Quang thanked His Majesty
Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom
Sihamoni and other leaders and authorities of
Cambodia for providing assistance to Vietnamese
residents over the past years. In spirit of friendly
neighborliness between the two countries, the
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam hopes that the
Kingdom of Cambodia would continue to take
measures in ensuring the legitimate rights of
Vietnamese residents, equally treated as other
foreign residents in Cambodia in conformity with
the laws and regulations of Cambodia.
9. In the evolving regional context with current
developments, both sides noted with satisfaction the
coordination and cooperation between the two
countries at multilateral fora during the past years. In
this regard, both sides are committed to continuing
to further advance the coordination and cooperation
through promoting the collaboration, information
sharing and mutual support for the sake of
strengthening ASEAN’s unity and centrality which
contribute to peace, security, stability and
cooperation in the region, and the world at large.
Both sides encourage the settlement of disputes by
peaceful means including negotiation and
consultation, exercise of self-restraint, renunciation
of the threat or use of force in accordance with
universally recognized principle of international laws,
including the 1982 United Nations convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Both sides are committed
to working closely with each other and other
members of the Mekong River Commission, MekongLancang Cooperation and other Mekong cooperation
mechanisms to ensure the sustainable management
and use of the Mekong river water resources.
10. Both sides agreed to coordinate with each
other in organizing activities and events solemnly
marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment
of Viet Nam - Cambodia diplomatic relations
(24/6/1967-24/6/2017).
11. Both sides expressed appreciation for the
outcomes and the profound significance of the
President’s State visit, which is seen as a pivotal
event that contributes to the promotion of
traditional
solidarity,
friendship
and
comprehensive cooperation between the two
countries in a sustainable manner.
12. President Tran Dai Quang expressed his
sincere thanks to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech
Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni and the
people of Cambodia for the gracious hospitality
accorded to him, Madame and the high-level
delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
13. President Tran Dai Quang kindly invited His
Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath
Norodom Sihamoni, King Mother Norodom
Monineath Sihanouk and Leaders of the Senate,
the National Assembly and the Royal Government
of Cambodia to visit Viet Nam at an appropriate
time. His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah
Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King Mother
Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and other
Cambodian leaders expressed their heart-felt
thanks and accepted the invitation. 
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VISIONS OF CAM BODIA
CAMBODIA’S REACTION TO EU PARLIAMENT …..
2. We hereby wish to inform the Members of
the European Parliament about facts that
there are undisputable but ignored by this
assembly:
a) About Mr. Sam Rainsy: He was the only
candidate the UN blamed for his racist
statements during the 1993 UN-organized
elections. He is notorious for his statements and
rhetoric in Khmer language (not in French,
neither in English) that is full of racial
incitements and hatred. He used slogan which
was a classical provocation by the Khmer rouge
to kill Khmer people and that led, in 1998, to the
killing of a Vietnamese family by an infuriated
crowd. He was inciting ordinary people to
remove international border posts, an act
undoubtedly would be condemned by any
European country. He is also renowned both in
France and Cambodia for defaming his political
opponent, a case in which, even in the courts of
France, defamation was certified.
b) Two members of the opposition party,
namely senator Hong Sok Hour and member of
the National Assembly Um Sam An, under the
responsibility of their president Sam Rainsy, are
accused of forgery and incitement to violence.
Hong Sok Hour published and disseminated a
fake treaty between Cambodia and Vietnam
purporting to show an agreement to dissolve
the border between the two countries. Both
accused persons claimed that they were
expressing their opinions. A forgery is not an
opinion; and in this very case, it is a deliberate
attempt to destabilize the country. Destruction
of documents and providing false information
fall into the category of acts constituting the
offense of treason in the criminal law of many
democratic States and in the criminal law of
Cambodia (Article 456 and 457 of the Penal
Code ). To publish a false treaty is in itself an act
of negation and therefore of destruction of the
authentic treaty. It is also providing false
information. The 1979 treaty registered with the
UN Security Council is the proof that the treaty
published by Hong Sok Hour is a fake one — not
allegedly fake — falsified to the point that the
border between Cambodia and Vietnam has
disappeared. Sadly, the European Parliament is
denying what is proved by official documents.
The hostile wording used by Urn Sam An is a
criminal misuse of freedom of expression and
an incitement to racial hatred and xenophobia
for electoral purposes and political gains.
Incitement to violence is a crime, under the law.
Such criminal activities make legitimate and
judicial that the parliamentary immunity of
these two individuals was lifted. In the context
of Cambodia, such inflammatory violations not
only provoke dangerous public reactions, but
also threaten national security, regional peace
and jeopardize bilateral relations between the
two neighbors.
c) As far as the case of Kem Sokha is concerned,
the subornation of witness is condemned in all
democratic countries, particularly in those of
the European Union. The refusal to appear in
court as summoned by prosecutor is punishable
in all democratic countries, especially in those
of the European Union. So does it in Cambodia.
Fake information released by biased sources in
Cambodia created confusion between to be a
witness and to be an accused. Kem Sokha was
summoned as a witness on 4 May 2016 and on
17 May 2016. This is a classical procedure that
European countries would observe. Yet it is
procedure Kem Sokha failed to comply with.
d) As far as people involved in the Kem Sokha
affairs are concerned, according to the
Cambodian Penal Code (art. 538), they
committed a crime by suborning a witness.
Human rights activists from NGO and UN
personnel should advocate and train people to
respect the law, not to violate it. It is according
to the law that 5 human rights activists are
accused. Not as the result of an arbitrary
decision. It is not the first time that UN
personnel from the Phnom Penh Office of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights are
bribing witnesses. Yet they go without being
blamed by their hierarchy.
e) As far as freedom of expression is concerned,
the Royal Government of Cambodia does not
believe that freedom of expression means
freedom to insult or to release fake information
or to defame someone. In all Western countries
there are laws punishing such practices.
Cambodia shall have no exception. NGO
workers, even social, environmental or human
rights activists, are not above the law. There are
no special treatments for people involved in
association activities or else we simply do not
have the rule of law. The Royal Government of
Cambodia appreciates the genuine and honest
contributions of social, environmental and
human rights workers to the society. However,
we deplore those who use and exploit the
rights agenda for political purposes. Those who
are involved in such activities have not the right
to violate the law.
f) The Kingdom of Cambodia has now 4,637
NGOs, national and international. Some
NGOs pretend to represent the "civil
society". They boast to speak on behalf of
the whole population without the slightest
legitimacy to do so. Among these NGOs, a
number,
behind
humanitarian
or
development supposed activities, are in fact
involved in political activities funded by
foreign institutions. Facing this lack of
transparency
and
accountability,
the
National Assembly of Cambodia adopted a
law. The NGO law is the result of years of
debates and dialogue with the civil society
and with embassies. A final draft written
with the closed cooperation of foreign
diplomats was rejected by the US Embassy
and NGOs, which were advised and funded
by the same embassy. This was the draft that
it is now the law. The right to have a law on
association was even denied to the
Cambodian Government by representatives
of a country that has registration
requirements for local and international
NGOs! The Cambodian NGO law protects
democracy more than the possible use of the
US "Patriot Act" or the annual US "National
Defense Authorization Act" or the Canadian
"C-51 law".
3. As a sovereign State, the Kingdom of
Cambodia is not under trusteeship of foreign
institutions. The Royal Government of
Cambodia does not accept interference in its
domestic affairs. We urge against employing a
selective approach to dealing with human
rights issues or the politicization of some of the
cases that are being addressed with "doublestandards" when one can equally observe such
common practices under the rule of law being
upheld in European nations.
4. We regret that the European Parliament
didn't appreciate what the Royal Government
of Cambodia has endeavored in upholding the
rule of law and preserving peace and stability
which Cambodian people very much need for
their national harmony, integrity and
prosperity. 
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WHO COUNTRY ….
Cambodia has got huge success in
improving health situation for the last few
decades such as the reduction of maternal
mortality rate among many other
achievements, the minister underlined.
For his part, Prof. Shin Young-soo, WHO
Regional Director for the Western Pacific,
lauded
Cambodia’s
noticeable
achievements in the public health sector
through continuous improvement of her
health system. 
GARMENT, FOOTWEAR
EXPORTS ON THE RISE
The total value of exports from the Kingdom’s
garment and footwear industry increased
sharply this first quarter by 39.1 percent to
some $2 billion compared to about $1.5 billion
in the same period last year, according to
figures released by the Ministry of Commerce.
The ministry’s figures, made public last week,
also indicated that the European Union (EU)
remained the largest market for the country’s
garment and footwear exports. The total value
of exports to the EU, in this first quarter, was
about $717.8 million, followed by $419.2
million to the United States, $41.7 million to
Canada and $34.6 million to Japan. Exports to
other global markets amounted to $65.9
million.
Seung Sophari, spokesperson for the Ministry
of Commerce, told that the increase of exports
to the EU was due to the preferential
treatment through low tariffs in the EBA
[Everything but Arms] that given to Cambodian
garment and footwear products.
The total exports of the garment and footwear
sector reached $6.3 billion last year,
representing a 7.6 percent growth over 2014 ─
of which exports rose by 6.5 percent to $5.7
billion. The footwear sector continued to
record rapid growth in 2015, with exports
increasing by 21.8 percent to $538 million,
while exports of garments rose by 6.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of garment and
footwear factories has grown steadily and
reached 699 at the end of 2015. In
comparison, the number of factories at the
end of 2014 was 626. 
ECCC: SWEDEN
PLEDGES SEK 28
MILLION IN SUPPORT
FOR 2016-2019
The Government of Sweden has made a new pledge
of SEK 28 million to support the international
component of the Extraordinary Chambers in the
Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) for the period 2016 to
2019, according to the ECCC’s press release on 14
June.
“The amount will be evenly divided over four years,”
it added.
Sweden is a key financial backer of the ECCC, and it
is a member of the Principal Donors Group, said the
press release, stressing that the total financial
assistance from Sweden preceding this new pledge
amounts to US$9.97 million.
“On behalf of the ECCC, we would like to express
our gratitude for the generous and continuous
support offered by the Government of Sweden. We
welcome the move to offer a multi-year pledge, as
this will assist us in the financial planning,” said
Acting Director of the Office of Administration H.E.
Kranh Tony and Deputy Director Mr. Knut
Rosandhaug in a statement. 
DEMAND FOR
CAMBODIA’S PALM
SUGAR INCREASES AT
INTERNATIONAL
MARKETS
Local and foreign demands for organic palm sugar,
especially from Kampong Speu province, have
increased remarkably this year.
Up to now, the palm sugar producing community in
Kampong Speu province has expanded the
production sites from four to seven communes due
to high demand for local consumption and export,
Mr. Sam Saroeun, President of Kampong Speu Palm
Sugar Promotion Association, told local media.
In 2016, the community is expected to produce
around 250-260 tons of palm sugar, up from 180
tons last year, he pointed out.
Mr. Hun Piseth, Deputy Director General of Confirel,
attributed the year-on-year increase in the demand
for Kampong Speu palm sugar to its GI status,
stressing however that the supply has not met the
demand yet as this year the company is planning to
export some 160 tons of palm sugar while only 110
tons have been collected. 
WORLD BANK TO
CONTINUE SUPPORTING
CAMBODIA’S HEALTH
SECTOR
Cambodia’s Senior Minister and Minister of
Public Works and Transport H.E. Sun Chanthol
met on 13 June with Mr. Alassane Sow,
Outgoing Country Manager of the World Bank
for Cambodia, and Ms. Inguna Dobraja, the
newly appointed Country Manager.
According to the ministry’s news release, during
the meeting, Mr. Alassane Sow expressed his
appreciation to H.E. Senior Minister for the
strong cooperation between the Royal
Government of Cambodia and the World Bank
during his term in Cambodia. He also introduced
Ms. Dobraja, who will take over as the newly
appointed Country Manager for Cambodia.
For his part, H.E. Sun Chanthol expressed his
appreciation to the World Bank and stated that
he looked forward to working closely with Ms.
Dobraja to further improve and strengthen
cooperation between the Royal Government of
Cambodia and the World Bank.
The senior minister also reaffirmed the immediate
need for support from the World Bank in sourcing
funds to support the maintaining of the road
infrastructure in Cambodia and invited the new
country manager of the World Bank to be part of
the Logistics Advisory Board, whose mission is to
reduce the cost of logistics in the country.
Meanwhile, World Bank will continue to support
Cambodia in the health sector, affirmed Mr.
Alassane Sow, while meeting with Cambodian
Minister of Health H.E. Mam Bunheng on 14
June.
On the occasion, H.E. Mam Bunheng expressed
profound thanks to the World Bank for its
support to Cambodia’s health sector so far and
in the future, and he laid stress on the ministry’s
commitment to enhance the quality of services
by building more hospitals in the provinces of
Oddar Meanchey, Pailin and Siem Reap.
In reply, H.E. Alassane Sow thanked the Ministry
of Health for its good cooperation during his
term in Cambodia. 
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ISSUE 25: 13-19 JUNE 2016
CAMBODIA AIRPORTS HANDLE ALMOST 3
MILLION PASSENGERS IN FIVE MONTHS
Cambodia Airports, the developer and operator of
Cambodia’s international airports, handled almost 3 million
passengers and 40,000 flights movements from January to
May 2016, an increase of 4.3 percent and 3.1 percent
respectively compared to the same period in 2015,
according to Cambodia Airports’ news release.
Besides, cargo tonnage increased by 18.6 percent to 17,713
tons in that period, it pointed out.
Phnom Penh International Airport received almost 1.4
million passengers from January to May 2016, an increase
of 8.9 percent, while Siem Reap International Airport
handled in excess of 1.5 million passengers, up 0.6 percent
compared to the same period in 2015. The passenger traffics
at Sihanouk International Airport increase by 3.3 percent to
40,349 passengers due to the resumption of International
charters.
With this amount of passengers, Phnom Penh International
Airport handled more than 13,000 domestic and
international flight movements, growing 10.2 percent, while
Siem Reap handled more than 16,000, falling marginally by
2.3 percent compared to 2015. Flight movements in
Sihanouk International Airport grew at 5.8 percent in 5
months of 2016 to 692.
Cargo tonnage in Phnom Penh Cargo Terminal grew by
18.8 percent due to more freighter charters from the Asian
and Middle-eastern regions, while Siem Reap Airport Cargo
Terminal saw 68.8 percent more cargo compared to 2015.
Meanwhile, the revenue from Angkor ticket sales was
US$28 million, up 1.27 per cent over the same period last
year, according to the figures of the Authority for the
Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of
Siem Reap (APSARA).
Mr. Ho Vandy, Secretary General of Cambodia Association
of Travel Agents (CATA), expressed his optimism over the
growth of foreign visitors to Cambodia even though it is a
low season, if there are no internal political issue, no
national and global economic issues.
The Angkor Archeological Park is one of the main tourism
attractions in Cambodia beside the coastal areas in the
southwestern part and the eco-tourism sites in the
northeastern part of the country.
Visions of Cambodia is produced by the Press and Information Unit, Royal Embassy of Cambodia
64 Brondesbury Park l Willesden Green l London NW6 7AT l United Kingdom l Tel: +44(0)208 451 7850 www.cambodianembassy.org.uk
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