[Demographic Vietnamization: Elections, Military] New Cambodian gov’t to keep building ties with Vietnam: CPP spokesman

Spokesman of the Cambodian People’s Party Sok Eysan (Photo: VNA)

New Cambodian gov’t to keep building ties with Vietnam: CPP spokesman

Vietnam Plus | 16 August 2018

Phnom Penh (VNA) – The new government of Cambodia led by the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) will still attach importance to building relations with Vietnam, CPP Spokesman Sok Eysan told Vietnam News Agency.

The National Election Committee of Cambodia on August 15 announced the results of the general election held on July 29. The CPP won all 125 parliamentary seats.

Sok Eysan said relations between Vietnam and Cambodia are traditional and have gone through ups and downs over the years.

Meanwhile, opposition and reactionary forces with insular nationalism are still seeking ways to rekindle some issues between the two countries. Such acts won’t drive a wedge between the nations, he stressed.

He added the CPP defines the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship as strategic relations with long-standing fraternity. It will continue enhancing these ties to make them long-term and sustainable relations.

Regarding the election, the spokesman said the CPP won a big victory after overcoming all difficulties, obstacles and sabotage of overseas opposition forces. It considered the win a great triumph of the Cambodian people.

The election was carried out in a democratic, free, judicious, fair and successful manner, he claimed, noting that more than 83 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. At 22,967 polling stations nationwide, many people were queued up to vote before polls even opened. This showed their desire to vote and decide the country’s destiny, he noted.

That the US and some western nations assessed the election as undemocratic with the absence of opposition parties is biased because the US, Australia and the European Union did not send observers to this election, he said, adding that such evaluations were inaccurate and Cambodia cannot accept them.

Sok Eysan went on to say that his country keeps viewpoints on external relations as enshrined in its constitution. Those relations must be based on the respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality as members of the United Nation and not interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

Cambodia will always be a friend of all countries, regardless of religion and colour, he emphasised.

In the interview, the spokesman said since 1998, Cambodia has had a full stability and national conciliation with a government and state ruled by the King, thus opening up a new and proud era of national development.

In terms of the new government’s formation, Sok Eysan quoted CPP President Samdech Techo Hun Sen as saying that the 6th National Assembly will convene the first session on September 5 chaired by King Norodom Sihamoni. Later the same day, new parliamentarians will take an oath at the Royal Palace. Members of the new government will be sworn in on September 6, and the new Cabinet will have its first meeting a day later. –VNA