December 19, 2022
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia will provide training and share demining experiences with 15 deminers and officials from Ukraine next month in Phnom Penh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The ministry revealed the plan in a December 15 press statement on the outcome of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s trip to co-host the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit marking the 45th dialogue relations between the two blocs.
“Cambodia clearly understands, and places the highest value, on peace and stability in the country. We also try our best to help other countries in the world that are suffering from wars.
“Cambodia will provide technical training and share its experiences with 15 demining experts and officials from The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) in Cambodia in January next year,” the ministry said.
On December 13, Hun Sen also attended a conference on solidarity with Ukrainian people in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. During the conference, the prime minister shared Cambodia’s experiences and journey from a war-torn nation to one of peace, with freedom, high economic growth, and active member of ASEAN.
“Prime Minister Hun Sen highlighted relevant rule-based international principles of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of a state. He also expressed his solidarity and stood with the people of Ukraine at this difficult time posed by destructive war,” the ministry said.
During his trip to Europe, Hun Sen also the highlighted investment potential of Cambodia to French investors and urged them to come to Cambodia to learn more.
He met with the French investor federation—MEDEF International— on December 14 and urged investors to consider such potential sectors as food, pharmaceutical and medicine, manufacture, and the auto industry, according to the press statement.
“Hun Sen ensured to all investors a favorable investment environment of peace, security and political stability, as well as stable macroeconomic legal conditions which are effective, transparent, accountable and predictable,” the statement said.
MEDEF International vice-president Francois Corbin, who serve also as chairman of the Cambodia-France Enterprise Council and as a special representative of France’s ministry of foreign affairs for relation with ASEAN countries, appreciated Hun Sen’s investment presentation.
He also applauded Cambodia’s quick recovery from Covid-19 and its success in maintaining a resilient economy, noting that the Kingdom remains a potential investment destination in the region.
Hun Sen also met with Nicolas Notebeart, general director of Vinci Airports to discuss its partnership with the Cambodian government on the development and operation three Cambodian airports.
The Vinci Airports currently has contracts to manage more than 50 airports in Asia, Europe, and America. The company received a contract to expand Sihanoukville International Airport, which will start in 2023.
Nicolas Notebeart thanked Hun Sen for his trust in his company, and for their partnership, which dates back to 1990.
Hun Sen and his delegation returned safely to the Kingdom on December 16.