TOKYO: Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Chairman of ASEAN in 2022, met with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and discussed the Russia-Ukraine War, the tensions in the South China Sea and the ongoing Myanmar conflict.

During a Tuesday morning, 27 September, meeting in Tokyo, Japan, the President of the European Council asked for the ASEAN Chairman’s views on the three stated issues. In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that on behalf of ASEAN, Cambodia has always tried to find solutions to the conflict in Myanmar, and regarding the South China Sea, the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea is currently in the negotiation process.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Prime Minister Hun Sen said he remains committed to promoting honest and trustworthy dialogue.

The President of European Council thanked the ASEAN Chairman for his views and added that although ASEAN and Europe may have differing views, it is important to increase cooperation between the EU and ASEAN, especially in relation to the political geography of the two regions (for ASEAN in relation to the South China Sea and Myanmar, and for Europe in relation to the Russia-Ukraine War).

Prime Minister Hun Sen also invited President Charles Michel to attend the upcoming East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Global Dialogue in Cambodia in the near future.