Cambodian Parliament this evening issued a statement in response to the Resolution (2023/2589(RSP)) of the European Parliament which disrespects the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

The full statement reads as follows:

“The Parliament of the Kingdom of Cambodia expresses its disappointment at the Resolution (2023/2589(RSP)) of the European Parliament dated 16.03.2023, which reflects the European Parliament’s disrespect of the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

We reject the said Resolution, which in essence is a flagrant violation of the sovereign right of a member State of the United Nations. Taking into account the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia and all the prevailing national laws and regulations, particularly the civil and criminal codes, we reiterate our stance in conformity with the responses and statements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, including the one issued on 03.03.2023 which emphasised that ‘Crime is a crime, and it cannot be justified for other aspirations’.

We reject categorically the accusations stated in the Resolution and denounce the works of the leftist parliamentarian groups of the European Parliament for their political abuse and interference into the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Cambodia as a smaller and weaker state in total disregard to the values of democracy, justice and the rule of law to which Cambodia has strictly adhered.

We have observed with great attention that the European Parliament, particularly the extreme leftist groups, has been very vocal in politicising the internal affairs of other countries at the cost of their peace, stability, social harmony and socio-economic progress. Notwithstanding these acts, we express our deep gratitude to the European Parliament, the European Council and the European people for their support in the development of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in particular in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-COVID-19 recovery.

We value the friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the European Union which has contributed to the strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and the European Union, built on the pillars of equal partnership and equal sovereignty. We recall the constructive roles of the Kingdom of Cambodia as well in promoting multilateralism and the rule of law as reflected in the good outcomes of the 11th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP11) in 2021 and the 2nd Dialogue between the European Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) held during the 43rd General Assembly of AIPA in 2022, in Phnom Penh, the Kingdom of Cambodia.

On that basis, we urge all the European Parliamentarians from different groups to make efforts to promote a sincere, open and inclusive dialogue with the Kingdom of Cambodia on the basis of mutual respect, trust, understanding and interest for the cause of peace, coexistence, and mutual prosperity.”

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse