$500M expected from EU programme
A SENIOR Cambodian official and the EU ambassador to Cambodia expected the bloc to earmark $500 million for the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027 and express optimism that the relationship, cooperation, development, and partnerships between the two sides will strengthen.
These were raised during a courtesy meeting between Chhieng Yanara – secretarygeneral of the Council for the Development of Cambodia’s Cambodia Rehabilitation and Development Board (CDC) – and newly appointed EU ambassador to Cambodia Carmen Moreno on March 3.
According to a press release issued by the CDC, the MIP 2021-2027 in Cambodia would be similar to the 2014-2020 programme at nearly $500 million.
Yanara said the implementation of the Joint European Development Cooperation Strategy 2014-2020 and MIP 2014-2020 had strengthened partnerships and contributed to the sustainable and inclusive
development of Cambodia.
Moreno said the formulation of the new draft of the 2021-2027 strategy and the bloc’s MIP 2021-2027, which has been finalised, would be discussed at the Consultation
Meeting between the government and the EU as well as its partners after approval from the European Commission.
MIP 2021-2027 is a mechanism used between the EU and Cambodia to implement the strategy based on three priority sectors – green growth and jobs, education and skills, and good governance.
The press release said the strategy aligned with the Cambodian government’s Rectangular Strategy Phase IV – namely human resource development, economic diversification, private sector and job development, and sustainable and inclusive development.
Yanara also expressed his sincere thanks to the EU and its partners for providing substantial support to Cambodia in response to the prevention of Covid-19. According to the EU, $3.4 million in aid was provided to Cambodia in support of the health system.
THE Apsara National Authority (ANA) said that last year more than 700 youths were trained in sustainability and conservation work, development, tradition, customs and new discoveries in the preservation of Angkor.
The ANA revealed the number on March 3 as Cambodia marked the 23rd National Cultural Day under the theme “Youth for National Culture”.
In its Facebook post, the ANA said Angkor, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, is important for national identity so conservation and sustainable development training is considered priority work.
“In 2020, the Angkor Training Centre prepared 18 training courses to share experience as well as transfer knowledge for sustainable preservation work,” the ANA said.
“The courses include topics related to the heritage sector, development, history, tradition, religion as well as new discoveries. Participating were management, officers, employees and the public,” it said.
ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on March 3 that training people is one of its main tasks. In the past, Cambodia has always relied on foreigners as Cambodians lacked knowledge in this sector.
But he said that currently, Cambodians can do the work on their own without relying on foreign experts.
“Education of the younger generation will ensure there will be successors,” he said.
According to the ANA, last year the centre organised lectures with several speakers and shared knowledge and experience with officials, ANA staff, tour guides, the public and researchers who are working in the Angkor area. There were four lectures with a total of 200 participants.