Mr. Chairman,
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
May I first of all thank you, Mr. Chairman for the opportunity given to me to proceed with an exchange of views with you and other Distinguished Delegates at this 9+1 Meeting organised for the Kingdom of Cambodia. At the same token, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to express to you and the Host Country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, my very high appreciation for the very warm welcome and the generous hospitality accorded to us during our stay in this beautiful and historic city of Hanoi as well as for the excellent arrangements made at the VIth ASEAN Summit.
I would like also to congratulate Your Excellency Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, upon your election as Chairman of the Sixth ASEAN Summit. I am confident that under your able leadership and with your talent and experiences, this Summit will be in position to meet the many challenges in our changing world and be crowned with success.
Yesterday, I was deeply impressed by the most inspiring speeches given by His Majesty and Their Excellencies the Heads of state and Government of ASEAN which have clearly laid out the visions for greater and closer cooperation among countries of Southeast Asia.
Mr. Chairman,
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Today's Meeting reaffirms the utility for the Heads of State and of Government to remain in close contact with one another. It has turned out to be a necessary exercise to give a clear direction and the needed impetus for an effective and multidimensional regional cooperation in a cordial spirit of solidarity and equality so as to fulfil the vision of the Co-Founders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-ASEAN, namely a united and prosperous Southeast Asia.
The Kingdom of Cambodia has on her part clearly understood wisdom of the Co-Founders of the Association. Immediately after the information of the Royal Government in 1993, Cambodia bas shown her genuine interest to take part in the Association, first in her capacity as Special Guest in 1993 and 1994 and then as Observer. Since then, the Royal Government and all its institutions have deployed tremendous efforts to prepare the country for full membership in this prestigious club as we are indeed part of the Region to which we deeply feel we belong to. We have made all the given by ASEAN. Therefore, we feel greatly encouraged by the decision of the ASEAN Heads of State and Government at its VIth Summit to admit the Kingdom of Cambodia as the 10th Member of ASEAN in Hanoi and to organise an official Admission Ceremony at the soonest possible.
Mr. Chairman,
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
It is my sincere conviction that conditions are now more favorable than ever to realise together the dream of our Fathers of a Southeast Asia Ten. These favorable conditions do exist in my country. First, The general election could be held on time on last 26 July with the participation of 39 political parties and a very large turn out of voters tantamount to 93.7% of the eligible population. The general atmosphere was peaceful and festive. It is known to you, Mr. Chairman and all Distinguished Participants at the Meeting, that our elections have been heralded as free, fair and credible by more than 700 international and 20,000 well trained local observers as well as by the international community. They were described as "a Miracle on the Mekong". On behalf of the Royal Government and of the people of Cambodia, I wish to extend my deep and heartfelt gratitude to all friendly countries, among them members countries of ASEAN, and International Organisations whose precious financial and technical assistance have enabled the success of the whole process.
Secondly, a renewed coalition Government between the two main winning parties-CPP and FUNCIPEC- could be formed under the very High and wise guidance of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK. For the sake of national reconciliation and of the supreme interest of the Nation, the two parties signed a common political platform to strengthen political stability in respect of the will of the Cambodian electorate. Under such an Agreement, H.R.H. Samdech Krom Preah NORODOM Ranariddh has been elected last 25 November of the National Assembly whereas myself was elected as Prime Minister on last 30 November. It was agreed to form a Senate with Samdech Chea Sim as its President in line with democratic institutions in other countries. It is to be recalled that the concept of the Senate is not new in Cambodia, where it used to exist before 1970 known as the Council of the Kingdom. The creation of the Senate has been approved by His Majesty the King, and will be established soon in conformity with our amended Constitution.
Third, Cambodia has enough resources and potential to significantly contribute to the Prosperity of the region. Despite domestic problems and the regional economic crisis, the Royal Government could maintain macro-economic stability. Last year, GDP growth rate reached 2% which is in line, with world wide and regional trends. During the second half of 1997, the Riel depreciated only about 25% and remained in overall stable during the first half of 1998 to pick up again during the second half of the year. Tourism, construction and garment industry have witnessed renewed strong activities whereas rice production has turned out to be higher than expected thanks to favorable rains in October and November. Furthermore, the amount of approved FDI projects was not touched much by the regional crisis. The capital investment in the first nine months of 1998 reached US$ 800 Millions, about the same of 1997 level. We expect that the next CG Meeting scheduled for early 1999 will stimulate the flow of international aid and assistance into Cambodia.
Mr. Chairman,
Your Majesty,
Excellencies,
Today, Southeast Asia and many countries in the world are facing a severe financial crisis that is affecting the political and economical development in each respective country. It poses major challenges to all of us in the region. ASEAN has recognized that its economic goals will be best secured through a renewed commitment to economic cooperation and market liberation.
Indeed, regional integration is more critical now to ASEAN development than ever. There is little doubt that the importance of initiatives such as AFTA, the ASEAN Investment Area and ASEAN Industrial Cooperation scheme will only increase in the future. For its part, Cambodia pledges to move forward with its market reforms and the establishment of a liberal and transparent economic and legal system. Despite the region's economic crisis, we will continue to build a non-discriminatory, open trade and investment regime.
Integration ASEAN represents a top priority for Cambodia. It presents to us both opportunities and challenges, especially given the status of Cambodia as a country in transition. While we anticipate that our nation's long-term investment and growth will be strengthened by ASEAN integration, we recognize that there will be short-term costs. In the long run, Cambodia's success in participation in ASEAN economic initiatives will depend on our ability to build a stable, transparent environment for investment and on the energy and innovation of our people to take advantage of the opportunities offered. I have no doubt that both Cambodia and ASEAN will prosper in a partnership as a result. To promote growth, Cambodia will need ASEAN aid and assistance in a flexible way that has been its hallmark since its founding thirty-one years ago.
Concerted action from all of us has been the key task and, I feel ASEAN can play a pivotal role in addressing problems facing our region. ASEAN been regarded as a pragmatic, progressive and successful Organisation that demonstrated effective and equally innovative approaches in international relations. The RGC has always identified ASEAN as the vehicle that would secure peace, harmony and security necessary for steady recovery and cooperation development in all fields. For this reason, Cambodia remains committed to its declared intention of being a credible and active Member of ASEAN and intends to make energetic positive contributions to ASEAN progress towards the realisation of ASEAN Vision 2020.
In my capacity as the Head of Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I pledge to strengthen and develop good relations and active cooperation in all fields with all countries in the world, especially with our sister countries in region. All conflict issues should be settled through negotiations based on principle of equality and other principles stipulated in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia of 1976. Cambodia will be Member of ASEAN the day the Association so decides. Cambodia will do her utmost to contribute positively to the cause of peace, stability, cooperation, development, friendship and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
Once again, I cannot close my remarks without thanking all the eminent Heads of State and Government attending this important meeting for their understanding and continued support for Cambodia and her people.
Thank You for Your attention
