EU, Cambodia concludes joint meeting to strengthen cooperation

People's Daily Online
October 12, 2010

The European Union and the Royal Government of Cambodia have concluded successfully their sixth Joint Committee meeting in Brussels, Belgium, according to a statement released by the EU office in Cambodia on Tuesday.

The EU-Cambodia Joint Committee is the highest-level policy dialogue platform between the two partners.

According to the statement, the meeting was held on Oct. 8, and was co-chaired by Ouch Borith (pictured), secretary of state of Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Mr. James Moran, director for Asia in the Commission's Directorate- General for External Relations.

During the meeting, subjects on EU-Cambodia cooperation, trade, economy, governance and human rights and others were discussed.

Special emphasis was put on subjects like the support to Cambodian economic growth, the challenge of decentralization, the impact of economic land concessions on people's land rights and the need for an open and constructive political dialogue in Cambodia.

"Every year Cambodia and the European Union meet in this high- level forum to exchange views on issues of mutual concern in a frank and constructive way", said Director James Moran.

"We are proud of the quality of dialogue we have developed over the years and we believe these talks serve the purpose of strengthening our partnership - in supporting trade and in promoting human rights, in development cooperation and in democratization."

Giving similar remarks, Ouch Borith also highlighted the importance of the meeting.

"This significant meeting takes place at a crucial juncture when every country in the world is making economic recovery which is far from complete and remains a daunting task especially for the developing countries," said Ouch Borith.

"The EU is a key partner for Cambodia. Through this very constructive meeting, we can not only assess the progress and review our reform programs during past year, but more importantly, we can exchange views with the EU on key aspects to support Cambodia's development and further strengthen our cooperation," added Borith.

As usual, the Joint Committee included three thematic Sub Groups. Dialogue in the sub group on Institution Building, Administrative Reform, Legal Reform, Governance and Human Rights focused, inter alia, on the progress made by Cambodia.

The Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Cambodia, signed in 1999, provides the legal basis for the Joint Committee.

Joint Committees take place every year, alternately in Phnom Penh and Brussels, and they provides an important platform for the European Union and Cambodia to review their cooperation, and entertaining policy dialogue, in the different areas covered by the Agreement.

Source: Xinhua