366. Relations between ASEAN and Cambodia have developed further since the country was accorded Observer status in July 1995. On 3 April 1996, the Cambodian Foreign Minister submitted his country's application, dated 23 March 1996, for membership in ASEAN during a call on the Chairman of the ASC in Jakarta. Cambodia, like Lao PDR, wishes to join ASEAN in 1997. To prepare for this, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has set up an ASEAN Department to coordinate ASEAN relations.

367. In this connection, ASEAN has intensified cooperation with Cambodia to better prepare the country for her impending admission. Three briefing sessions were conducted in Phnom Penh by the Director-General of ASEAN-Malaysia and four Secretariat officers between August and November 1995.

368. The ASEAN Secretariat trained four Cambodian officials during their month-long attachment at the ASEAN Secretariat in November 1995 and in January 1996. Three more Cambodian officials were trained on AFTA matters and economic cooperation during a two-week stint in May 1996. These programmes were funded by a special grant from the UNDP.

369. As was the case with Lao PDR, the ASC sent a fact-finding team, comprising the seven ASEAN Directors-General to Cambodia from 7-11 February 1996. The team held consultations with several Cabinet Members of the Royal Government of Cambodia on issues relating to membership in ASEAN.

370. Assistance to Cambodia at the bilateral level, took the same vein as that extended to Lao PDR. Hence English language training in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore; training on diplomacy and international relations in Malaysia; and English language training and ASEAN affairs training in the Philippines, were held to facilitate Cambodia’s entry.