Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), issued a congratulatory message to Vladimir Putin for being re-elected as president of Russia for a fifth term.
Putin claimed 87.23 per cent of the ballots in the election, held on Sunday.
Hun Sen’s March 19 letter stated: “Cambodia highly values and deeply cherishes its traditional and friendly ties with Russia, established under the aegis of mutual respect and understanding, shared values, and common interests.
“For almost seven decades, our two countries have basked in the glory of mutual political trust, which has been the foundation supporting our states’ conduct, resonating deeply across all spheres of cooperation,” it added.
“In my capacity as president of the CPP, I would like to reiterate my readiness to work closely with you and your colleagues to further promote relations between our ruling parties and state institutions for the mutual interests of our nations and peoples,” it continued.
Last year, the CPP issued a flexible foreign policy plan, reflecting their efforts to adapt to the dynamic geopolitical landscape, which is shaped by competitive influences of the world’s major powers.
The policy was publicised in July, when the CPP won a landslide general election. It explained that the 2023-2028 policy essentially extends the previous programme which spanned the 2018-2023 period.
“Cambodia will maintain the continued implementation of an independent foreign policy which is based on the law and respect for the rules, purposes, and principles outlined in the charters of the UN and ASEAN,” said the document.
While he was in office as Prime Minister, Hun Sen said he was against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Cambodia was a co-sponsor on a UN resolution opposing the invasion, made after the war broke out on February 24, 2022.
However, he also opposed the sanctions placed on Russia by the West, as he believed this had a domino effect on other countries, particularly through the global economy.
Hun Sen explained at the time that he has never supported the use or threat of force by one country on another, and he urged all parties involved to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict.