Phnom Penh, September 21, 2019 –Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has warned that Cambodia’s peace has been in a fragile state due to threats and constant internal interference by superpowers and some Western countries.
In his three-page message on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (Sept. 21), Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that peace is priceless and a core value of humanity as well as the nation, and Cambodia is pleased to join the world to celebrate the International Day of Peace to promote a broader understanding of the meaning of peace, to strengthen national solidarity and unity.
This is the aspiration of humanity and the necessary foundation for Cambodia to move forward on the path of development and progress, he underlined.
The Premier continued that the complex and unpredictable evolution of the world situation, especially the competition between superpowers to protect their respective political, economic, and military interests has been bringing threats to peace at both the regional and global levels, and Cambodia is also among the victims of this power rivalry.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasized Cambodia’s peace and development process, from the civil war between 1970 and 1975 and genocide regime between 1975 and 1979 to become a nation adhering to the principles of liberal multi-party democracy. He also expressed the Royal Government’s determination to maintain the achievements and fight against any action that could possibly cause or damage Cambodia again.
The element of peace, high economic growth combined with the introduction of a proper national development policy under the Rectangular Strategy have significantly reduced poverty rate among people from 53.2 percent in 2004 to around 10 percent currently, he added.
Cambodia is extremely proud to have turned the bitter experience of civil war into an active contribution to the cause of world peace, he said, stressing that the Kingdom has transformed itself from a country that had previously received UN peacekeeping forces to a country that has been sending forces to take part in peacekeeping missions in war-torn countries.
Cambodia will continue to contribute to the protection of world peace, stability, and security through our cooperation in combating global challenges such as terrorism, cross-border crimes, climate change, drug trafficking, communicable diseases, etc., he underscored.
Samdech Techo Prime Minister called on all his compatriots to join the Royal Government in promoting national and international peace, by continuing to maintain and protect the existing peace, strengthening national unity, implementing the culture of dialogue, respecting the law, resorting to peaceful resolution, and preventing any manipulation and attempt to bring the nation into chaos and instability.
By Khan Sophirom
