On the morning of July 20, 2023, His Excellency Dr. Chhiv Yiseang, Secretary of State, representing His Excellency Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received His Excellency Mr. Désiré Nyaruhirira, Special Advisor, in charge of Politics and Diplomacy to the Secretary General of La Francophonie, for a courtesy and working meeting, during the Francophonie Electoral Mission (MEF) placed under his leadership to observe the 7th legislative elections on July 23, 2023.
After extending a very warm welcome to His Excellency Désiré Nyaruhirira and the members of the MEF, His Excellency the Secretary of State thanked Madame Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of La Francophonie, for her continued commitment to enhancing cooperation between Cambodia and the OIF, and for her decision to send the MEF to Cambodia. He emphasized that these very important 7th parliamentary elections prove Cambodia's commitment (1) to national renewal, (2) to the lasting strengthening of peace and stability, and (3) to anchoring the Kingdom of Cambodia in the rule of law and a democratic, liberal and multi-party system.
His Excellency Mr. Désiré Nyaruhirira expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the Secretary of State for his warm welcome and informed him of the objective of the MEF in Cambodia, stressing that Cambodia is an active and important member of the OIF. The MEF sent by the OIF to observe the elections aims to strengthen the cooperation between Cambodia and the OIF. The MEF aims to better understand the electoral process in Cambodia, through the meetings with the key actors, such as Cambodian leaders of the institutions concerned (particularly, the National Electoral Committee, the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Interior), political parties and non-governmental organizations, as well as through observation in the field and in various polling stations... At the end of the mission, the OIF delegation will prepare a report and make recommendations to improve any shortcomings. Then, the head of the delegation recalled the success of the Economic and Trade Mission of La Francophonie in Asia-Pacific (MECA) which took place in Cambodia in March 2022.
His Excellency the Secretary of State highlighted the progress made by Cambodia, through civil war and genocide, to the establishment of peace throughout the country in 1998, thanks to the implementation of Samdech Techo Prime Minister's win-win policy. His Excellency the Secretary of State mentioned about the determination of concerned authorities to ensure that the forthcoming elections would be held in a free, transparent, correct and fair manner for the cause of stability and peace. He also underlined the implementation of the electoral law and the procedure for registering political parties.
His Excellency Dr. Chhiv Yiseang emphasized the advantages of the new investment law, the free trade agreements that Cambodia has signed with China and South Korea, as well as within the framework of ASEAN and RCEP... All these agreements have already proved to be a favorable and stimulating environment for foreign investment in Cambodia.
