By Soy Sophea
Cambodia and Russia reached a bilateral trade, up from US$21.2 million in 2008 and US$3 million in 2003, according to Russian diplomat officers, speaking during a meeting with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Hor Namhong, Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on April 22 in Phnom Penh.
Koy Kuong, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said he considered progress in the bilateral relationship to be a positive step
Kuong said Russia’s major exports to Cambodia include paper, machinery, spare parts of vehicles and airplanes while Cambodia exports about US$1 million worth of clothing to Russia per year.
He continued to say that Cambodia would try its best to support Russia to get candidacy to attend ASEM (ASEAN EU Meeting), as Cambodia had played the role of co-coordinator for ASEM.
Namhong also pledged his support of Russia joining the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). And Hor Namhong also thanked Russia for being train hundred of Cambodian students during the 1980s when Cambodia was blocked economically and politically after the deliberation of Khmer Rouge regime.
Kuong quoted the two leaders of Cambodia and Russia as saying that they have enjoyed their fundamental relationship in past years and promised to support each other on the international stage in the future. Russian Ambassador Valery Tereshchenko also thanked Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce for supporting Russia to be a membership of World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007.
Tereshchenko, who will finish his term in Cambodia soon, said Kuong, adding that Namhong invited the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Cambodia at any convenient time.
Namhong urged the Russian government to continue its assistance to Cambodia in human resources, Kuong added. Russian investors have invested more than US$500 million in Cambodia’s island Koh Pous (Snake Island) in Sihanouk province, said Kuong.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
International Peace Foundation Introduces the Bridges Dialogue Program
.jpg)
By Soy Sophea
The International Peace Foundation has launched the third Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) event series “Bridges-Dialogues: Towards a Culture of Peace” starting in Cambodia in November 2009. The launching ceremony was held at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh on April 28, under the presidency of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, Minister of Council of Ministers. The series events will be attended by 21 Nobel Prize Laureates, in cooperation with national and international partners.
His Serene Highness Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein — Chairman of the Advisory Board of the International Peace Foundation, said during opening remarks that Cambodia has opened a new chapter, adding that its people are hungry for education; that everyone wants to learn English and wants to study at universities, despite the painful past.
“I think that Cambodia provides a regional success story,” King Alfred said.
Uwe Morawetz, Founding Chairman of the International Peace Foundation, said that the forthcoming schedule contains up to 50 events, with participation by Nobel Laureates from all fields. Each Nobel Laureate who visits Cambodia will stay for at least 4 to 6 days.
He added that the Bridge would encourage Cambodian participation in Nobel Laureates for economics, physics, chemistry, history and medicine. He said the events would involve public lectures, seminars, workshops and dialogues to strengthen international understanding and to build relationships with Cambodian institutions. These understandings may lead to common research projects and other long-lasting forms of cooperation.
“This is why Bridge is not designed as a onetime
.jpg)
event, but as a continuing process of synergies to make the events a sustainable success for Cambodia and the ASEAN region as a whole,” he said.He added the aim of the Bridge is to facilitate and strengthen communication between societies in South East Asia with to promote understanding and trust.
To build further bridges towards peace and international understanding the foundation has been invited by the government of other ASEAN countries to expand “Bridge” programs in the region. In 2009 /2010, Cambodia will host the events- jointly chaired by His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. They will stimulate intellectual, scientific and cultural exchange in the ASEAN region and enhance its further development.
He thanked Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Advisor to the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen; President and Founder, International Foundation for Arts and Culture in Tokyo, Japan; and the Chancellor
of The University of Cambodia for his generous support for the program.
The non-political, non-religious International Peace Foundation with headquarters in Vienna and its Asian office in Bangkok has previously organized more than 700 events with 600 keynote speakers in Europe.
Information Minister Advises Magazines not to Publish Pornography
By Soy Sophea
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith has advised publishers and editors of local magazines in Cambodia not to print pornography as it contradicts Cambodia’s culture.
Khieu Kanharith told a meeting of editorial groups at the Ministry of Information on April 30 that extreme pornography affects Cambodian traditions and culture and provokes sex crimes.
“I do not mean that slightly sexy images cannot be published,” he said. “But avoid pornography at all costs.”
However, Kanharith admired Cambodian magazine editors for their efforts to print colorful, well-illustrated reading material.
“Overall, you have done well for Cambodian society,” he said. “Your magazines can push the younger generation to be interested in journalism and photography as well.”
The Minister urged all Cambodian magazine publishers to establish an association. He said that the balance needs redressing as there are 18 associations covering newspapers. “I want to see the establishment of a Cambodia’s magazine association as it will help to improve their work and quality,” Kanharith said.
Puy Kea, a Board Member at the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), said the Minister’s initiative is very good as Cambodia has many press associations and associations for TV and radio.
“A variety of specific associations will help to promote freedom of the press in Cambodia.” Kea said.
Puy Kea, who is also a correspondent for Kyodo news, a Japanese news wire, urged the establishment of a dedicated magazine association. This will set it apart from the CCJ – an organization that represents every other form of media in the country, including TV, radio and newswires.
Cheth Saroeurn, Editor of Preah Chan Khmer Language magazine, agreed with the minister’s advice when referring to pornography. He said magazines should not publish nudity and he was rather cool on the idea of unnecessarily alluring images as well. However, he saw their value from a business point of view.
“If we don’t have sexy images, our magazine will not sell,” Saroeurn said. “Men will not read it.”
He said that he was also in broad agreement with the call for a magazine publisher’s association.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith has advised publishers and editors of local magazines in Cambodia not to print pornography as it contradicts Cambodia’s culture.
Khieu Kanharith told a meeting of editorial groups at the Ministry of Information on April 30 that extreme pornography affects Cambodian traditions and culture and provokes sex crimes.
“I do not mean that slightly sexy images cannot be published,” he said. “But avoid pornography at all costs.”
However, Kanharith admired Cambodian magazine editors for their efforts to print colorful, well-illustrated reading material.
“Overall, you have done well for Cambodian society,” he said. “Your magazines can push the younger generation to be interested in journalism and photography as well.”
The Minister urged all Cambodian magazine publishers to establish an association. He said that the balance needs redressing as there are 18 associations covering newspapers. “I want to see the establishment of a Cambodia’s magazine association as it will help to improve their work and quality,” Kanharith said.
Puy Kea, a Board Member at the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), said the Minister’s initiative is very good as Cambodia has many press associations and associations for TV and radio.
“A variety of specific associations will help to promote freedom of the press in Cambodia.” Kea said.
Puy Kea, who is also a correspondent for Kyodo news, a Japanese news wire, urged the establishment of a dedicated magazine association. This will set it apart from the CCJ – an organization that represents every other form of media in the country, including TV, radio and newswires.
Cheth Saroeurn, Editor of Preah Chan Khmer Language magazine, agreed with the minister’s advice when referring to pornography. He said magazines should not publish nudity and he was rather cool on the idea of unnecessarily alluring images as well. However, he saw their value from a business point of view.
“If we don’t have sexy images, our magazine will not sell,” Saroeurn said. “Men will not read it.”
He said that he was also in broad agreement with the call for a magazine publisher’s association.
Cambodian NGO Officers Train in Climate Change Advocacy
By Soy Sophea
About 20 NGO officers gathered in a four-day workshop on climate change advocacy, which was conducted and sponsored by DanChurchAid (DCA) and Christian Aid (CA). The workshop took place April 21-24 at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Jeff Rutherford, a trainer in the workshop, said that the workshop is very important for Cambodian NGO officers to understand more about the issues surrounding climate change. He said that through the workshop, they learned advocacy skills that will equip them to influence policy makers and share information with local and international media on Cambodia’s climate change. Rutherford said the issue is very important for people living in developing nations like Cambodia.
“This workshop introduces trainees to advocacy strategies on climate change,” he said.
The first day of the seminar focused on the relevance of climate change, focusing on an overview of the science behind the issue, how humans are responding to it and what it means to the trainees’ work. The second day focused on institutions and the ways states, businesses, civil society and communities are addressing climate change, with an emphasis on the UN negotiation process. During the third day, participants talked about potential of climate change initiatives by discussing what people are doing different scales to mitigate or adapt to climate change and what else people can do. On the last day they discussed about taking action and revealed details for the development of concrete action plans for organizations to deal with climate change.
Overall, the workshop aimed to build the officer’s background knowledge and understanding of climate change in order to advocate and lobby the government to take more action, said Sam Pagna, DCA’s program assistant.
“I believe they will have more capacity to deal with the government’s policy,” she said.
Hep Sokhannaro, a trainee and researcher from the NGO Forum on Cambodia, said climate change is something beyond his understanding. It is related to justice and human rights as Cambodia produces less carbon than more powerful countries because Cambodia is in a developing countries group and not destroyed climate as China and United States of America.
He promised to share the knowledge he gained from the seminar with the Cambodian community to give them more detailed explanations on the issue.
“I want Cambodian people to get involved in climate changes because it is a global concern,” Sokhannaro said. “At the very least, we can ask them to reduce their chemical fertilizers in cultivation and not to have further forest clearance.”
Khim Sarin, trainee and program manager at Development and Partnership in Action, works with Cambodian farmers and said they lack education about agriculture technology. Although the farmers know about normal weather changes, such as the rainy and dry seasons, they are not informed about climate change. He said that NGO officers will take the opportunity to raise these concerns to ordinary people as it is related to their daily farming activities.
“I think that we need more time to educate people to get to know and be involved with global concerns,” Sarin said.
About 20 NGO officers gathered in a four-day workshop on climate change advocacy, which was conducted and sponsored by DanChurchAid (DCA) and Christian Aid (CA). The workshop took place April 21-24 at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Jeff Rutherford, a trainer in the workshop, said that the workshop is very important for Cambodian NGO officers to understand more about the issues surrounding climate change. He said that through the workshop, they learned advocacy skills that will equip them to influence policy makers and share information with local and international media on Cambodia’s climate change. Rutherford said the issue is very important for people living in developing nations like Cambodia.
“This workshop introduces trainees to advocacy strategies on climate change,” he said.
The first day of the seminar focused on the relevance of climate change, focusing on an overview of the science behind the issue, how humans are responding to it and what it means to the trainees’ work. The second day focused on institutions and the ways states, businesses, civil society and communities are addressing climate change, with an emphasis on the UN negotiation process. During the third day, participants talked about potential of climate change initiatives by discussing what people are doing different scales to mitigate or adapt to climate change and what else people can do. On the last day they discussed about taking action and revealed details for the development of concrete action plans for organizations to deal with climate change.
Overall, the workshop aimed to build the officer’s background knowledge and understanding of climate change in order to advocate and lobby the government to take more action, said Sam Pagna, DCA’s program assistant.
“I believe they will have more capacity to deal with the government’s policy,” she said.
Hep Sokhannaro, a trainee and researcher from the NGO Forum on Cambodia, said climate change is something beyond his understanding. It is related to justice and human rights as Cambodia produces less carbon than more powerful countries because Cambodia is in a developing countries group and not destroyed climate as China and United States of America.
He promised to share the knowledge he gained from the seminar with the Cambodian community to give them more detailed explanations on the issue.
“I want Cambodian people to get involved in climate changes because it is a global concern,” Sokhannaro said. “At the very least, we can ask them to reduce their chemical fertilizers in cultivation and not to have further forest clearance.”
Khim Sarin, trainee and program manager at Development and Partnership in Action, works with Cambodian farmers and said they lack education about agriculture technology. Although the farmers know about normal weather changes, such as the rainy and dry seasons, they are not informed about climate change. He said that NGO officers will take the opportunity to raise these concerns to ordinary people as it is related to their daily farming activities.
“I think that we need more time to educate people to get to know and be involved with global concerns,” Sarin said.
ASEAN Membership for Cambodia a National Success Story
By Soy Sophea
April 29, 2009 marks the 10th Anniversary of Cambodia’s membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Cambodia Weekly commemorates this important anniversary with an exclusive interview with His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Q: Could you describe the benefits Cambodia has received over the past decade in being an ASEAN member nation?
A: The past 10 years have been a period of remarkable and overwhelmingly positive change, not only for Cambodia but also for the ASEAN group as a whole.
It is certain that both sides have benefited from 10 years of Cambodian membership. Some of the benefits are clear for all to see, some of them not so immediately self evident. Take the matter of security for example. Cambodia now plays a regional role in ensuring the territorial integrity of the grouping and Her voice is heard as it contributes to the creation of consensus amongst the 27 participating member states.
Cambodia’s position at the ASEAN table placed the nation in Her rightful role and enabled dialogue to occur between archetypes of regional leadership and development partners. This results in progressive, rational and sustainable reform for all members. He added that membership of ASEAN amplified Cambodia’s diplomatic voice across the globe, as the framework enabled engagement with countries that are part of ASEAN and countries in the wider world that may have no consular representation in Cambodia but who are trade partners with ASEAN nations. Having established a high profile corner for ourselves in ASEAN, we are now able to interact with a world of friendly nations including the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and the EU for example.
In terms of the economy, we will be able to take advantage of the Free Trade Area that ASEAN has been negotiating with other ASEAN partners. The vast markets of China and India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Newzerland and of course with the European Union (EU) – all of these nations are open to Cambodian exports. Other areas of benefit include promotion of investment opportunities and tourism. I will continue to work closely with our friends and expand these areas of cooperation.
Turning to the subject of social and human resource development, Dr. Kao said that We have been working with a number of very useful themes. This gives us access to a fund supported by the Asian Economic Powerhouses and all ASEAN members have benefited from this fund in one way or another. I think of ASEAN as an open door that leads to a world of exciting possibilities.
That Cambodia is viewed as a vital member of this grouping is also illustrated by our work in creating the ASEAN Charter. Given my presence at the Charter’s inception, the entire grouping progresses according to directives created with a distinct Cambodian imprint.
Q: Can you explain ASEAN policy with regard to reducing the gaps between mature ASEAN members and newer arrivals such as Laos PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar – not to mention Cambodia?
A: We have been aware of these concerns for some time now and in a grouping of equals, we do not want to see such gaps. We have responded with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). This mechanism allows older ASEAN members and their dialogue partners to pool resources and then distribute them across a diverse range of programs and projects, all of them created to bridge the gap between the old and the new.
The integration ASEAN is a priority for us and we will continue in these efforts with other member nations and partners until we have created a group of proud, independent nations unified by economic parity and shared financial objectives.
Q: Can you say -how long will it take to minimize the gap?
A: That is hard to say, but we are working towards a date of 2015, by which time we hope to have reduced the gaps to the point of insignificance. We have already created a blueprint to help s achieve this goal. I will not go into details now, as they would fill many volumes. However, I remain convinced that the gaps will have ceased to exist, half way through the next decade.
Q: Cambodia is to host all ASEAN meetings and conferences throughout 2012, following Vietnam in 2010 and Brunei in 2011. Can you confirm that Cambodia will host as many meetings as Vietnam and Brunei? Cambodia Hosted the ASEAN Summit in November 2002. How has the situation changed between then and now?
A: First, ASEAN is governed by a Charter and has been since before December 15, 2008. Once the Charter has had time to settle in it will usher the member states into a rule-based environment with a clearly defined legal personality. Most importantly, u
nder the ASEAN Charter, Cambodia has to operate under a Single ASEAN Chairmanship. This means that by 2012, assuming everything goes according to schedule, Myanmar will formalize her membership and thus her right to assume the Chair for a one-year period. Cambodia will assume the ASEAN Chair, hosting all key ASEAN meetings including ASEAN Summits, meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and ASEAN Council Minister’s Meetings. Now, the calendar starts in July, through to the following July. Cambodia will enjoy the benefit of conducting these meetings under the ASEAN Charter – a great change for the better in my opinion. Secondly, Cambodia has gained a wealth of experience since 2002 and this will be amply demonstrated in our conduct throughout 2012.
We feel full confidence in our ability to host these meetings and Cambodia makes a perfect venue for them. Given the outstanding leadership skills displayed by our Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister, Hor Namhong, in his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia will be perfectly positioned to assume the revolving chairmanship.
Q: Do you expect all Heads of State and Government to attend?
A: When we assume the Chair, we do expect full attendance at the Summit Meetings, as well as the ASEAN Plus 3 Submits, with additional delegates from Japan, China, South Korea and India. It will be a lot of work, but it will be good experience both for us and for the other members. I am looking forward to the challenge; and it will present countless opportunities for us to enhance relations with all our international friends within the scope of the Charter. I repeat, I am looking forward to a great year of diplomatic successes for Cambodia.
Q: Do you expect the US president to attend the Submit in 2012?
A: Well, that is a good question. Actually, there is no precedent for inviting U.S. representatives. In the past, we have discussed the possibility of convening a meeting between ASEAN and the U.S. but there has been no movement on this front yet. I do know that the U.S. Secretary of state has attended the ASEAN Regional Forum in the past and I would not be surprised to see the U.S. Secretary of State in Cambodia in 2012 – all things are possible. Right now, the U.S. is interested in extending trade links in South East Asia and this is one of the most important steps forward in terms of moving a particular country towards full cooperation with the ASEAN Summit.
Q: This is my final question Your Excellency and I thank you for your Patience. As you are acutely aware, Cambodia and Thailand have encountered disputes over border demarcations. What is ASEAN’s position in relation to this?
A: Well, It is a bilateral issue and both countries have agreed to resolve the matter sing a bilateral framework. Last year, when I was in Singapore, the chair country of ASEAN, we explored the possibility of engaging ASEAN as a moderator in this issue. I think the priority now must be to let the two parties work together within the framework of the ASEAN Charter and its dedicated dispute settlement mechanism. Right now, legal experts from both parties are working towards a resolution based firmly on the Rule of Law.
April 29, 2009 marks the 10th Anniversary of Cambodia’s membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Cambodia Weekly commemorates this important anniversary with an exclusive interview with His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Q: Could you describe the benefits Cambodia has received over the past decade in being an ASEAN member nation?
A: The past 10 years have been a period of remarkable and overwhelmingly positive change, not only for Cambodia but also for the ASEAN group as a whole.
It is certain that both sides have benefited from 10 years of Cambodian membership. Some of the benefits are clear for all to see, some of them not so immediately self evident. Take the matter of security for example. Cambodia now plays a regional role in ensuring the territorial integrity of the grouping and Her voice is heard as it contributes to the creation of consensus amongst the 27 participating member states.
Cambodia’s position at the ASEAN table placed the nation in Her rightful role and enabled dialogue to occur between archetypes of regional leadership and development partners. This results in progressive, rational and sustainable reform for all members. He added that membership of ASEAN amplified Cambodia’s diplomatic voice across the globe, as the framework enabled engagement with countries that are part of ASEAN and countries in the wider world that may have no consular representation in Cambodia but who are trade partners with ASEAN nations. Having established a high profile corner for ourselves in ASEAN, we are now able to interact with a world of friendly nations including the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and the EU for example.
In terms of the economy, we will be able to take advantage of the Free Trade Area that ASEAN has been negotiating with other ASEAN partners. The vast markets of China and India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Newzerland and of course with the European Union (EU) – all of these nations are open to Cambodian exports. Other areas of benefit include promotion of investment opportunities and tourism. I will continue to work closely with our friends and expand these areas of cooperation.
Turning to the subject of social and human resource development, Dr. Kao said that We have been working with a number of very useful themes. This gives us access to a fund supported by the Asian Economic Powerhouses and all ASEAN members have benefited from this fund in one way or another. I think of ASEAN as an open door that leads to a world of exciting possibilities.
That Cambodia is viewed as a vital member of this grouping is also illustrated by our work in creating the ASEAN Charter. Given my presence at the Charter’s inception, the entire grouping progresses according to directives created with a distinct Cambodian imprint.
Q: Can you explain ASEAN policy with regard to reducing the gaps between mature ASEAN members and newer arrivals such as Laos PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar – not to mention Cambodia?
A: We have been aware of these concerns for some time now and in a grouping of equals, we do not want to see such gaps. We have responded with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). This mechanism allows older ASEAN members and their dialogue partners to pool resources and then distribute them across a diverse range of programs and projects, all of them created to bridge the gap between the old and the new.
The integration ASEAN is a priority for us and we will continue in these efforts with other member nations and partners until we have created a group of proud, independent nations unified by economic parity and shared financial objectives.
Q: Can you say -how long will it take to minimize the gap?
A: That is hard to say, but we are working towards a date of 2015, by which time we hope to have reduced the gaps to the point of insignificance. We have already created a blueprint to help s achieve this goal. I will not go into details now, as they would fill many volumes. However, I remain convinced that the gaps will have ceased to exist, half way through the next decade.
Q: Cambodia is to host all ASEAN meetings and conferences throughout 2012, following Vietnam in 2010 and Brunei in 2011. Can you confirm that Cambodia will host as many meetings as Vietnam and Brunei? Cambodia Hosted the ASEAN Summit in November 2002. How has the situation changed between then and now?
A: First, ASEAN is governed by a Charter and has been since before December 15, 2008. Once the Charter has had time to settle in it will usher the member states into a rule-based environment with a clearly defined legal personality. Most importantly, u
nder the ASEAN Charter, Cambodia has to operate under a Single ASEAN Chairmanship. This means that by 2012, assuming everything goes according to schedule, Myanmar will formalize her membership and thus her right to assume the Chair for a one-year period. Cambodia will assume the ASEAN Chair, hosting all key ASEAN meetings including ASEAN Summits, meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and ASEAN Council Minister’s Meetings. Now, the calendar starts in July, through to the following July. Cambodia will enjoy the benefit of conducting these meetings under the ASEAN Charter – a great change for the better in my opinion. Secondly, Cambodia has gained a wealth of experience since 2002 and this will be amply demonstrated in our conduct throughout 2012.We feel full confidence in our ability to host these meetings and Cambodia makes a perfect venue for them. Given the outstanding leadership skills displayed by our Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister, Hor Namhong, in his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia will be perfectly positioned to assume the revolving chairmanship.
Q: Do you expect all Heads of State and Government to attend?
A: When we assume the Chair, we do expect full attendance at the Summit Meetings, as well as the ASEAN Plus 3 Submits, with additional delegates from Japan, China, South Korea and India. It will be a lot of work, but it will be good experience both for us and for the other members. I am looking forward to the challenge; and it will present countless opportunities for us to enhance relations with all our international friends within the scope of the Charter. I repeat, I am looking forward to a great year of diplomatic successes for Cambodia.
Q: Do you expect the US president to attend the Submit in 2012?
A: Well, that is a good question. Actually, there is no precedent for inviting U.S. representatives. In the past, we have discussed the possibility of convening a meeting between ASEAN and the U.S. but there has been no movement on this front yet. I do know that the U.S. Secretary of state has attended the ASEAN Regional Forum in the past and I would not be surprised to see the U.S. Secretary of State in Cambodia in 2012 – all things are possible. Right now, the U.S. is interested in extending trade links in South East Asia and this is one of the most important steps forward in terms of moving a particular country towards full cooperation with the ASEAN Summit.
Q: This is my final question Your Excellency and I thank you for your Patience. As you are acutely aware, Cambodia and Thailand have encountered disputes over border demarcations. What is ASEAN’s position in relation to this?
A: Well, It is a bilateral issue and both countries have agreed to resolve the matter sing a bilateral framework. Last year, when I was in Singapore, the chair country of ASEAN, we explored the possibility of engaging ASEAN as a moderator in this issue. I think the priority now must be to let the two parties work together within the framework of the ASEAN Charter and its dedicated dispute settlement mechanism. Right now, legal experts from both parties are working towards a resolution based firmly on the Rule of Law.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
