Cambodia's ambassadors in Europe highlighted the importance of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s trip to attend the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit, which he co-chairs along with European Council President Charles Michel.
Hun Sen arrived in Brussels on the afternoon of December 12 and was met by members of the Cambodian diaspora in Europe.
Before the December 14 summit to celebrate 45 years of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Partnership, Hun Sen is slated to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on December 13 to share his experiences and thoughts on peace building, with a particular focus on Ukraine.
Nong Sakal, Cambodia’s ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, said the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Partnership coincides with Cambodia taking the rotational ASEAN chair, which helps to raise the Kingdom’s profile in Europe.
“The world has noted Cambodia’s role as ASEAN chair, especially on economic recovery post-Covid-19 and on other global issues,” he said.
Ket Sophan, Cambodia’s ambassador to France, said Hun Sen’s trip to Brussels is historically important for Cambodia and its people as well as for the ASEAN region.
He said co-chairing this summit means that ASEAN and the EU can work together shoulder to shoulder to solve issues of common concern shared by the two blocs and the whole world, and that the meeting comes right after Cambodia had “successfully” hosted the ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
“Secondly, it is also a historic event that our prime minister has been invited by French president Emmanuel Macron to attend the international conference on ‘solidarity for Ukrainian people’ in Paris.
“It is a message to the world that Prime Minister Hun Sen will share his experience in peace making. As we already know, war is happening in Europe. So [Hun Sen] will share his thoughts on peace building, how to end the war and other crises in Europe,” Sophan said.
Sophan said that this trip was also special because Macron invited Hun Sen to a state dinner at the Elysee Palace.
