Security Council bid pursued

The European Union and British ambassadors pledged yesterday to take Cambodia’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council to their respective governing bodies, officials said after meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong. 

European Union Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain (left) speaks with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong during a meeting yesterday in Phnom Penh.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Koung said the deputy prime minister had, in separate meetings, requested that newly appointed British Ambassador Mark Gooding and European Union Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain lobby other nations to support Cambodia, as the Kingdom seeks votes in an election later this year for one of 10 non-permanent spots on UNSC in 2013 and 2014. 

“Mark Gooding has pledged that he will take Cambodia’s request to the British leaders, and he also requested Cambodia’s support as Britain seeks membership of the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in the Southeast Asia,” said Koy Koung.

Hor Namhong held talks with Kurt Campbell, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, last week. 

A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs afterward said the US had also pledged to support Cambodia’s UNSC bid.

Cheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said that increasing Cambodia’s international involvement in UN peacekeeping duties and its role as the chair of ASEAN would help Cambodia to successfully campaign for a seat on the UNSC. 

“Cambodia has played a leading role sending approximately 1,000 peacekeeping troops to the UN therefore…the image of Cambodia at the UNSC will build confidence for an international investment in Cambodia,” he said. source

Share