Tuesday, 30 November 2010

AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press


via CAAI

Korean Peninsular Issue: Cambodia Calls for Peaceful Settlement

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- The Royal Government of Cambodia has called for a peaceful settlement of problems in the Korean Peninsular.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia has learnt with great concern the exchange of artillery shelling on the Yeonpyeong Island of the Republic of Korea, on 23 November 2010, resulting in damages and casualties,” said the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement dated Nov. 26.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia appeals to all parties concerned to stop any act of provocation from escalating and to seek for a peaceful settlement of problems in the Korean Peninsular,” the statement underlined.

The Royal Government of Cambodia also calls for the resumption of the Six-party talks at the earliest possible in order to prevent further escalation of the tension which will endanger peace, security in the Korean Peninsular as well as in the whole region, it said. --AKP

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Cambodian NA Adopts the 2011 National Budget

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- The Cambodian National Assembly passed on Nov. 26 the national budget after debating the 2011 draft budget law under the presence of National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin.

Of 98 lawmakers present, 76 voted in favor of the 2011 national budget, increasing to over US$2,400 million from US$1,970 million in 2010.

No changes were made on the draft budget law sent in advance to the National Assembly by the Council of Ministers.

H.E. Ouk Rabun, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Finance took the floor at the National Assembly, affirming the commitment to the proper finance management made by the his ministry.

The over US$2,400 million national budget for 2011 allocates the spending of US$304 million for the Ministries of National Defense and Interior. Social Affairs receives over US$513 million, Education US$223 million, Health over US$169 million. And over US$1,278 million are allocated for reservation. --AKP

(By THOU Peou)

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No More Visas for Entering Thailand from Mid December

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- From Dec. 16, 2010, the Cambodian people can travel to and stay in Thailand for 14 days without applying for visas, according to a statement of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated Nov. 26.

For those who wish to stay over 14 days in Thailand, they need to apply for the visas in advance, it added.

On Nov. 17, the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers signed here the Agreement between the two neighboring countries on visa exemption for holders of normal passports under the presidency of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart H.E. Abhisit Vejjajiva upon their close-door bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 4th ACMECS Summit.

Cambodia has signed several visa exemption agreements with the ASEAN member countries, except Brunei and Myanmar. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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National Assembly Approves Extradition Agreement with South Korea

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- All 97 lawmakers present at the National Assembly session last Friday voted unanimously to approve an extradition agreement with the Republic of Korea.

The extradition agreement was signed by foreign ministers of both countries on Oct. 22, 2009 in Phnom Penh during the official visit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

The agreement of 23 articles with 15 pages requires the signatory country to obligate in extraditing the wanted criminals or offenders to another party so that they will be sentenced by their own country.

”The extradition agreement is very important and helpful for both sides to push cooperation in eliminating cross-border crimes on a basis of the mutual interests and respect of sovereignty of each country,” Pen Panha, chairman of the National Assembly's legislation and justice commission.

This agreement will help further promote the cooperation between the two countries, increase confidence in the field of justice in Cambodia and defend the rights of the Cambodian people living in South Korea and vice-versa, said Justice Minister H.E. Ang Vong Vathana during the debate.

Cambodia will sign such agreement with other countries such as Russia, India, etc., he said.

The Cambodian government has so far signed agreements on extradition of prisoners with China, Australia, Laos and Thailand. --AKP

(By Noeu)

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Cambodia Hosts Academic Symposium on ASEAN’s Future

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- National and international scholars from different regional countries gathered here last Friday in the Academic Symposium on “The Future of ASEAN in the 21st century: Challenges and Prospects.”

The symposium was organized by the International Relations Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia and presided over by Prof. Ros Chantrabot, advisor to the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Mr. Sok Touch, deputy chairman of International Relations Institute said this symposium is aimed at gathering theories, experiences, analysis, mechanisms, norms and prospects related to the ASEAN’s challenges.

ASEAN should achieve four main pillars – cooperation, solidarity, peace and harmony, he said.

According to Prof. Ros Chantraboth, the major challenges of ASEAN are common language, different levels of education, unsmooth economic and trade exchange, inequitable information sharing, etc. --AKP

(By KHAN Sophirom)

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Information Minister: Cambodian-Thai Border Situation Is Easing

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith has said that the situation at the Cambodian-Thai border has eased after the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Cambodia in late October.

Speaking last Friday while calling on the Land-Border Defense Police Units 911 and 807 in Banteay Meanchey province, the minister briefed them of the talk between Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

He said the UN secretary-general had asked Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen what role the United Nations would be able to play in the border conflict. Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen requested the United Nations to encourage the withdrawal of all armed forces from the border areas and to help turn the situation back to that of before 15 July 2008.

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen also informed the UN Secretary-General that if there was any large-scale military attack, Cambodia would request the intervention by the UN forces, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said.

During the bilateral talk between the two prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand following the meeting of ACMECS in Phnom Penh on Nov. 17, both sides discussed a number of points with a view to avoiding confrontation so as to bring back peace and promote economic cooperation and development at the border areas.

According to the information minister, a concert would be organized in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 28 and 29 with participation of popular stars from Cambodia and Thailand in order to expand the relation between the two nations.

The two countries have also signed the visa-exemption agreement for normal passport, allowing for a 14-day stay, the information minister said.

Banteay Meanchey Police Commissioner Brig. Gen. Hun Hean said that the delegation visit demonstrated not only the government’s care, but also encouragement for the armed forces on duty of defending the territorial integrity.

The delegation granted donation to the two Land-Border Defense Police Units, each with two motorbikes, a quantity of instant noodles and drinks, and US$1,200 to build a dam. Each police officer received a kit and 50,000 Riel (roughly US$12). --AKP

(By Ravuth M.)

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Cambodia To Dispatch Football Team to the 15th ASEAN University Games 2010

Phnom Penh, November 29, 2010 AKP -- The Pannasastra University of Cambodia will send its football team to join the 15th ASEAN University Games to be held from Dec. 15 to 23 in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, according to Mr. Prum Bunyi, director of Physical Education and Sports Department.

The Pannasastra’s football team won the championship in the “Cambodian Universities Championship 2010”. --AKP

(By Théng)

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