Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 23 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen reacted to remarks made by a Thai diplomat Kasit Piromya and a Malaysian member of parliament from the opposition party regarding the premier’s visit to Myanmar.

The premier spoke at the inauguration of new office building of the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) on Thursday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen asked the critics whether their countries had cut off diplomatic ties with Myanmar and shut down their embassies. He said it is the right thing for Cambodia to visit Myanmar as Cambodia’s embassy is still there.

“Cambodian embassy is still present in Myanmar, so Hun Sen’s visit to Myanmar is legit,” the premier underlined.

Premier Hun Sen reiterated that ASEAN with only 9 members is not complete; therefore, he pledges to reunify ASEAN to 10. He said if ASEAN succeeds in resolving Myanmar crisis, the Burmese will have huge benefits from political stability.

Cambodia's prime minister hopes that ASEAN member countries, partners, and observers of the situation in Myanmar will understand Cambodia’s efforts to resolve ASEAN issues. He asks for adequate time to work on resolving the Myanmar’s crisis and reunifying ASEAN.

Cambodia’s Hun Sen will pay a visit to Myanmar on 7-8 January 2022. The purpose of the visit is to coordinate with Myanmar and to strengthen the ASEAN community. The premier considered those who obstructed his visit to Myanmar as the “ASEAN destroyer”.

As an incoming ASEAN Chair, Cambodia puts efforts to ease the tension of Myanmar crisis and bring it back to normalcy.

"Since it is difficult to send the ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, I will be the one to go on behalf of Cambodian prime minister, the ASEAN chairman,” the said. He continued that “if we don’t work with the current leader of Myanmar, who will we work with?”

“Do not blame me and Cambodia if the situation in Myanmar cannot be solved. It depends on Myanmar whether they want to end the conflict or not,” Hun Sen underlined.

The premier stated that ASEAN with only 9 members is not complete and how can it be called ASEAN centrality or solidarity?

“As the chair of ASEAN in 2022, we need to reunify ASEAN to 10 again. ASEAN 9 will form a bad habit and it will destroy ASEAN.”

Although Myanmar has not yet reached its goal of holding elections in August 2023, ending violence and protecting lives are parts of the coordination plans, according to the premier.
=FRESH NEWS