Day: November 25, 2021

Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap province is ready to welcome foreign tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mr. Bun Ratha, Manager of Siem Reap International Airport, affirmed the readiness in a meeting to discuss the application of standard operating procedure (SOP) to welcome vaccinated tourists on Nov. 24.
Ensuring the safety of tourists is not only to enhance hospitality services but also to maintain the value and honour of the nation, he said.
Cambodia has identified a number of countries in the world, especially those in the ASEAN region, to come to the Kingdom without visa (VISA), which is the open skies policy of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
The meeting focused on operating procedures to ensure effective prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic, on the basis of the agreement between the health and tourism ministers, including the control of vaccination card, PCR test certificate (72 hours before arrival) and rapid test on arrival at the airport.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

The 13th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM13) was officially opened via videoconference from Phnom Penh this afternoon (Cambodian time) under the presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of the ASEM13.
As the Chair of the summit, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed warm welcome to all Asian and European leaders who are attending this virtual summit.
“I would like to extend my warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to the leaders of ASEM Partners for attending the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13),” he said in his opening remarks.
“After having lived for almost two years amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has inflicted unprecedented impacts on people’s lives and socio-economy, I am very pleased that our ASEM13 can now take place, albeit in the form of a Video Conference, along with a progressive re-opening of our borders,” he added.
As all countries strive for socio-economic recovery while living with COVID-19, the theme chosen for the ASEM-13, namely “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth”, is even more valid and relevant than ever, he continued, stressing, “in fact, in the post COVID-19 crisis world, we need to further reinforce our Asia-Europe partnership to maintain a strong multilateralism that will bring about a global growth that is not only ‘Sustainable’ but can also be ‘Shared’.”
Seven topics including ASEM at its 25: Achievement, Challenges, and Way Forward; Revitalising Multilateralism for Global Peace and Stability; Strengthening rule-based trading system; Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Developments; Connectivity; Women, Peace, and Security; and Climate Change, will be discussed during the two-day summit, according to a press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The ASEM Leaders will also discuss the COVID-19 and Socio-Economic Recovery/Development, which focuses on 1) Addressing issues caused by COVID-19; 2) Advancing Post-COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery for Shared Growth; and 3) Rebuilding a Resilient Future.
During the Retreat Session, the ASEM Leaders will have an opportunity to express and exchange their points of view in a free, frank and constructive manner on global and regional issues.
Under Cambodia’s Chairmanship, the ASEM13 will adopt three main outcome documents namely: (1) ASEM13 Chair’s Statement; (2) Phnom Penh Statement on the Post-COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery; and (3) The Way Forward on ASEM Connectivity.
The initial ASEM Partnership in 1996 consisted of 15 EU Member States, 7 ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, Korea and the European Commission. Today, ASEM comprises 53 Partners: 30 European and 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

The National Assembly on Thursday approved unanimously the budget bill for 2022, which will provide the government with the possibility for socio-economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis.
The approval was made in the 6th parliamentary session held here under the chairmanship of Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, NA President.
“The draft law will enable the Royal Government to continue the process of national development, especially the socio-economic rehabilitation after the COVID-19 crisis, as well as to achieve the key prioritised policies of the fourth phase of the Rectangular Strategy and the National Strategic Development Plan 2019-2023,” said an NA’s statement.
“It, especially, will accelerate the implementation of all areas of reform of the Royal Government,” the same source underlined.
The government approved in October a draft budget bill of 32,576.9 trillion Riel (approximately US$8,013 million) for its expenditure for 2022, with national revenue set at 23,462.6 trillion Riel (approximately US$5,771 million).

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

As the Chair of the 13th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM13), Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen laid stress on six main goals of the virtual Summit.
The six goals include 1. Deepening inter-regional connectivity for sustainable and inclusive development and shared growth; 2. Promoting inter-regional partnership for global governance; 3. Enhancing the effectiveness of a rules-based multilateral system; 4. Harnessing innovation, digital connectivity, and the Industrial Revolution 4.0; 5. Strengthening ASEM’s visibility and relevance; and 6. Addressing multi-sectoral issues such as climate change, poverty, women empowerment, as well as other trans-national challenges, he said.
“Today’s ASEM Summit is a timely opportunity for leaders of ASEM Partners to reaffirm the importance of the Asia-Europe partnership and cooperation in addressing regional and global issues of common concerns,” he underlined.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen added that ASEM13 has set its objectives based on the principles of shared growth, sustainable development, and rules-based multilateralism. As an important multilateral platform linking Asia and Europe, he continued, ASEM is an essential and strong global force. In this spirit, ASEM’s cooperation and partnership for a solid and effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order should act as its guiding spirit.
“As ASEM is moving towards its next decade of its existence, we all have a shared responsibility to ensure that ASEM continues to be an essential and robust inter-regional platform that can bring about great benefits for its people and can make an even greater contribution to peace, stability, prosperity, and development of the world,” the ASEM 13 Chair said.
The 13th Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM13) was officially opened this afternoon (Cambodian time) with opening remarks by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as Chair of the ASEM13; H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council as the Regional Coordinator for European Group; H.E. Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, as the Regional Coordinator for European Group; H.E. Mr. Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, as the Regional Coordinator for NESA Group; H.E. Mr. Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, as the EU Council Presidency and Regional Coordinator for European Group; and H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, as the Regional Coordinator for ASEAN Group.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press

The Asia-Europe leaders welcomed Cambodia’s chairmanship of the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13) which kicked off officially this afternoon via videoconference.
President of the European Council H.E. Charles Michel, as the Regional Coordinator for European Group, said three years ago, the summit took place in Brussels and it was then postponed twice and finally organised today.
“Even though it is held virtually, it is an important meeting. This is a great opportunity to talk about what has been achieved and set goals for the future,” he underlined.
H.E. Charles Michel said the European countries are ready to deepen cooperation with the Asian counterparts for mutual benefit in this summit.
“Multilateral cooperation and a very strong Europe-Asia relationship in particular are crucial for our global recovery,” he said.
For his part, H.E. Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, as the Regional Coordinator for NESA Group, expressed his strong hope that the summit will bring more outcome for the Asia and Europe integration.
“Although the summit was postponed twice, we are able to work remotely thanks to your efforts. I am confident that the Asia-Europe Summit will give further impetus to the continents’ integration processes and help to strengthen the practical cooperation,” he stressed.
At the same time, H.E. Mikhail Mishustin has suggested that all should use the ASEM’s potential in developing areas of connectivity such as transport, construction, modernisation of remote areas, digitalisation, education and tourism.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press