EU, Cambodian Government Successfully Conclude Their 8th Joint Committee Meeting

15 March 2014

The 8th EU-Cambodia Joint Committee Meeting held in Brussels was successfully concluded. The meeting was preceded by the subgroups on development cooperation, on trade and on institution building, administrative reform, legal and judicial reform, governance and human rights. Both sides exchanged views on Cambodia’s reform agenda and priorities in the post-electoral context, emphasizing reforms in the election process, governance and the respect for human rights as key drivers for Cambodia’s democratic development.

Under the Cambodia-EU Cooperation Agreement which forms the basis of bilateral cooperation, EU has provided substantial assistance to Cambodia covering several sectors. Ranging from public finance management and good governance, to food security and education; from poverty reduction to sustainable development and private sector development; EU-sponsored programs and projects have made a significant positive impact on the living condition of Cambodians. EU said that the Joint Committee Meeting was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm EU strong support for a democratic, prosperous and sustainable Cambodia.

On the sub-group of “Trade and Investment” noted the increase in bilateral trade, in particular Cambodia’s export performance, with EU now becoming the primary destination of Cambodian exports. The two sides discussed in detail the trade regime “Everything But Arms” which grants preferences to Cambodia as a least developed country. Both sides agreed to continue working together towards improving Cambodia’s business and investment climate.

For the sub-group on “Development cooperation”, both sides took stock of ongoing bilateral and regional cooperation activities. This was especially significant for the programming of EU development cooperation for 2014-2020 in Cambodia.

The sub-group on “Institution Building, Administrative Reform, Legal Reform, Governance and Human Rights” was candid and constructive and focused on concrete cooperation in the protection and promotion of Human Rights, including on promoting the abolishment of death penalty. Freedom of expression and association, legal and judicial reform, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the situation of human rights defenders and trade unions representatives, the protection of land and social rights were key priorities to address.

Source:
http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=43116