Phnom Penh, 17 February 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert concluded her successful visit to Cambodia today after she called on Prime Minister Hun Sen at the latter’s official residence.  The Secretary’s call lasted for almost two hours, during which they discussed a wide range of topics, including a thorough briefing by Prime Minister Hun Sen on the current political situation in Cambodia.  She also briefed the Prime Minister on the election process in the Philippines.

“I thanked Prime Minister Hun Sen for sharing with me his views on developments in his country.  He assured me that, despite the inability of his Cambodian People’s Party to form a new government because it was not able to get the required two-thirds majority vote in the last elections, Cambodia does not face a ‘temporary political crisis,’ but only a ‘temporary political deadlock’, ” Secretary Albert said.

During the call, the Secretary told Prime Minister Hun Sen that the Philippines looks forward to Cambodia’s participation in the World Trade Organization.  As developing countries, the Philippines and Cambodia share similar concerns facing the impact of globalization in their respective economies.

The two officials agreed that the Philippines and Cambodia have a good bilateral relationship based on the friendship and cooperation by the two countries.  Secretary Albert explained that this cooperation extends up to the regional level.

“A good measure of our common commitment to fight terrorism and all its forms is our accession to the Agreement on Information Exchange and the  Establishment of Communication Procedures.  The agreement has the potential to intensify the informal exchange of information on counter-terrorism by the six countries which acceded to it, including the Philippines and Cambodia and, in the process enhance the operational capabilities of these countries in the fight against terrorism as well,” Secretary Albert said.

Before finishing her call, Secretary Albert also expressed to the Prime Minister her view on the formulation of an ASEAN Community.

“While promoting a socio-cultural community, ASEAN could also have a dialogue among cultures and civilizations, including religion.  ASEAN is home to various religions.  Understanding them will lead to a greater appreciation of each other,” she said.

Earlier, the Foreign Affairs Secretary held a breakfast meeting with the ASEAN Ambassadors in Phnom Penh to exchange views on the possible topics to be discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat at Halong Bay, Vietnam in March.  Among the proposals is the suggestion of Cambodia to cut down significantly on the number of ASEAN SOM and DG Meetings and new program arrangements for the AMM/PMC/ARF.

“I think that this proposal should be really looked into, given the need to rationalize and streamline the numerous ASEAN Meetings held every year, which are costly to the member countries.  The current practice of using the
facilities of the internet and emails by SOM leaders in between APEC could likewise be looked into by ASEAN,” Secretary Albert suggested.  END.