PM’s Geneva trip ‘a success’
AFTER Prime Minister Hun Sen returned from his July 3-5 visit to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Switzerland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the meetings as "successful”.
The ministry said the prime minister spoke to the WTO about Cambodia's development, from the hard times of the past to modern times when the poverty rate had been reduced from more than 50 per cent in 2004 to less than 10 per cent last year.
Hun Sen met with WTO director-general Roberto Azevedo and expressed his regret over the EU launching the formal withdrawal of its “Everything But Arms” (EBA) agreement from the Kingdom.
He also met with other WTO officials and ministers from several European countries to discuss trade with Cambodia.
During his keynote address to the 41st session of the Human Rights Council, Hun Sen described how human rights had improved in Cambodia over recent decades.
“He emphasised the Cambodian people’s struggles to rebuild and develop the country from ashes, all the while facing unfair trade embargoes and economic sanctions imposed by those who always preach about humanity, human rights and democracy,” the ministry's press release said.
Hun Sen described how his Win-Win policy had brought a complete end to war and achieved lasting peace.
It was achieved by Cambodia alone, he said, without bloodshed, weapons or ammunition, and without external support.
“Cambodia, previously looked down upon and politically isolated, is now a fully independent sovereign state with territorial integrity, and has actively integrated herself into regional and international affairs,” Hun Sen said.
He then met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
Hun Sen's Facebook page said Bachelet acknowledged that the prime minister had led Cambodia to economic prosperity and improved social rights.
Hun Sen and Bachelet discussed several issues, including the 173 recommendations in Cambodia's Universal Periodic Review.
Bachelet offered support and technical assistance in implementing the recommendations, which she said respond to development strategies and strengthening the rule of law.
Hun Sen said he had worked hard to push the development of human rights.
Recently, he had helped detained women by creating a lawyers group to represent them free of charge and had increased the budget for the ministries of Women's Affairs and Justice to help poor women.
Hun Sen met some 1,000 overseas Cambodian students to update them on the situation back home, touching on the EBA and other topics, including the concerns raised by Phnom Penh residents such as car parking and tackling waste disposal.