SM Goh calls on Cambodian PM Hun Sen, reaffirming strong ties

23 November 2009
By Satish Cheney
Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is now in Cambodia for a two-day official visit, called on Prime Minister Hun Sen at the National Assembly on Monday afternoon.

During the hour-long meeting, they reaffirmed strong bilateral ties.

Mr Goh also congratulated Mr Hun Sen for the significant economic progress Cambodia has achieved since his last visit in 2002.

He was also briefed on Cambodia's recent economic developments.

Both leaders exchanged views on Cambodia's tourism sector as well as how to attract more foreign investments.

They also agreed that investment in human resource was essential to ensure Cambodia's long-term economic development.

Mr Goh said Singapore would be pleased to continue contributing to Cambodia's development through the Singapore Cooperation Programme and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration.

In the evening, Mr Hun Sen hosted Mr Goh to dinner at his residence.

Mr Goh is expected to call on King Norodom Sihamoni on Tuesday.

After Cambodia, Mr Goh will proceed to Laos.

Cambodian PM meets with former Singaporean PM on global financial crisis

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday met with visiting Singaporean Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and discussed the updated situation of the country and measures of dealing the global financial crisis, an official to Cambodian Prime Minister said.

During the meeting, Hun Sen told Goh that the Cambodian government made the policies to keep the macro-economy stable, and the National Bank of Cambodia, together with other banks, also took some measures for the financial system, Eang Sophallet, an assistant to Hun Sen told reporters after about one-hour talking between the two leaders.

Eang said that the global financial crisis has affected the world and Senior Minister Goh wanted to know the measures and challenges Cambodia has taken to deal with the economic crisis, as well as the policy strategy to follow in the future.

Hun Sen also said that Cambodian government has been boosting construction of infrastructure and strengthening agricultural sector for economic growth.

Meanwhile, Goh told Hun Sen that Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is inviting him to visit Singapore. Hun Sen accepted the invitation and agreed to pay an official visit with appropriate time in the future, Eang added.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong visits Cambodia from Nov. 23-24 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. In Cambodia, Goh will also be received in Royal audience by King Norodom Sihamoni, and meet with Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin.

Thai-Cambodia row not good for ASEAN: Singapore

SINGAPORE, Nov 6 (AFP) - Singapore expressed concern Friday over the worsening diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia, saying "it is not good" for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Singapore is concerned about the deteriorating relationship between Thailand and Cambodia. It is not good for ASEAN," a spokesman for the city-state's foreign ministry said.

"We hope that both our friends will keep the larger interest of ASEAN in mind and find a way to resolve their differences quickly in a spirit of good neighbourliness."

Thailand on Friday threatened to close its border with Cambodia in a spiralling diplomatic row over Phnom Penh's naming of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.

The warning came a day after the two countries recalled their respective ambassadors due to the dispute over the appointment of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption.

Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand are members of ASEAN along with Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Singapore very disturbed by Thai—Cambodian border situation

Thursday, October 16
Channel NewsAsia/AFP

SINGAPORE: Responding to media queries on the exchange of fire between troops at the Thai—Cambodia border, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the republic is very disturbed by the turn of events.

A ministry spokesman said Singapore reiterated its call for both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the broader interests of the region, and urged both sides to resolve their differences through further negotiations.

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire along the border on Wednesday, killing two Cambodian soldiers, as a dispute over land near an ancient temple turned deadly.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that two of his country’s soldiers were killed and two others wounded in the clashes, which erupted sporadically for more than two hours before tapering off.

Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neeparn, the army commander for northeastern Thailand, said that five Thai troops were wounded.

Gunfights broke out in the afternoon in a number of small patches of disputed land just a few kilometres (miles) away from the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, an UN World Heritage site which is on Cambodian territory.

Cambodia and Thailand have been sparring over land near the temple since July, and tensions soared this week after talks on Monday failed and about 80 Thai troops entered a disputed area, enraging Cambodia.