Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of ASEAN 2022, has underlined the importance of close cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union to contribute to guaranteeing global peace and order.
“Going forward, I believe that ASEAN and the EU must work closely together to ensure that the rules-based international order is open, transparent and mutually beneficial,” said Samdech Techo Hun Sen while attending and co-chairing the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations with H.E. Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, in Brussels, Belgium on Dec. 14.
As two rules-based and accountable blocs, ASEAN and the EU must do their utmost to protect and promote the UN Charter and the universally recognised norms and principles, which are the foundation for building peace and stability and improving the quality of life and livelihood of the people in our regions as well as in the whole world, Samdech Techo Hun Sen added.
“With my personal experiences and views from prolonged and tragic conflicts in Cambodia, I firmly believe that we cannot achieve peace through war or the threat of war. In this regard, I sincerely hope that we should determine to resolve conflicts peacefully through dialogue and consultation as a common approach,” he stressed.
“I am confident that today’s discussion will allow us to transform our common spirit into a pragmatic vision that will benefit our region and the world for decades to come,” he said.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also noted the good progress in carrying out the 2018-2022 action plan and welcomed the new action plan 2023-2027 which is clear and comprehensive covering many parts of cooperation under the three pillars of ASEAN.
The Commemorative Summit gives both sides an opportunity to conduct in-depth review on their past cooperation and chart the course for future direction of the ASEAN-EU relations. The rapid developments of regional and global architecture, and other traditional and non-traditional challenges will be the key topics on the summit’s agenda.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press