National Assembly president Heng Samrin (centre) with the three ambassadors (left) on Tuesday. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly (NA) president Heng Samrin told Cambodian ambassadors carrying out diplomatic missions abroad to put the national interest first no matter what the circumstances are and to protect and uphold their nation’s values.
He made the remarks on January 4 while meeting with three Cambodian ambassadors who were appointed to diplomatic missions abroad and were departing for their postings soon.
The three were Tuy Ri, Keo Chhea and Phorn Pov – ambassadors to Japan; US and Mexico; and the Philippines, respectively.
“As an ambassador, we have to demonstrate and uphold our national identity and dignity and continue to promote Cambodian arts and culture as well as Khmer traditions to foreigners. We are a nation that is rich with glorious cultural heritage,” Samrin said.
He recommended that the three ambassadors help coordinate and solve the problems experienced by Cambodian citizens residing or visiting the countries where they work and to do so in an efficient and timely manner.
“We have to learn about their joys and pains and get a clear grasp on information about issues concerning Cambodian citizens, students and workers living abroad in order to facilitate embassy services for them and promote their wellbeing and protect their interests,” he added.
Samrin also suggested that the envoys increase their level of cooperation with their foreign counterparts serving in the destination countries in order to benefit Cambodia further by finding opportunities related to things like attracting tourists and investors to the Kingdom.
Chea said at a press conference following the closed-door meeting that he was committed to performing his diplomatic role by developing and maintaining good relations with the US and Mexico and promoting Cambodian interests there.
“We will carry out our duties appropriately and promote the strengthening and expansion of our foreign policy with friendly countries, especially our host countries along with other nations that we have relations with,” he added.
Chhea said that as an ambassador, he will defend Cambodia’s national interests by making reasonable arguments based on evidence when responding to the US government’s frequent accusations that the Kingdom intends to provide China with a military base on Cambodian territory.
“We can’t really stop them from makings such accusations, which persist as a result of an ongoing geopolitical contest and it will likely remain a matter of some controversy between the two superpowers.
“The US always makes these accusations, so it’s to be expected. All we can really do is give clear explanations to them as to what Cambodia’s policies and intentions are,” he said.
With Cambodia set to chair the ASEAN summit this year, Chhea said he will also help promote ASEAN’s achievements throughout the bloc’s history as well as its goals for the future.
“As the chair of ASEAN, Cambodia has to take stances that lead to the strengthening and developing of the economies of the ASEAN community as a whole. And as ambassadors to other countries, as our first step, we have to expand our existing programmes over the next year. We will strive to promote [Cambodia’s] achievements as well,” he said.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said Cambodian ambassadors abroad have played an important role in enhancing relations and promoting Khmer culture – and they have been especially effective in attracting investors.
“Overall, the Cambodian diplomatic corps has been developing positively. Our ambassadors work hard at seeking out investment and promoting our national prestige on the international stage.
“Today they have an important function for developing our economy – beyond traditional diplomacy – because they do a lot to bring in trade and tourism as well,” he said.
