PHNOM PENH: UK is focusing on building long term meaningful partnerships with countries that have not been traditional partners of the UK.
At a time of international instability caused by Russia’s unprovoked assault on Ukraine, these will be mutually beneficial partnerships based on the needs and strengths of these partner countries - spanning trade, development, defense, technology, cyber security, climate change adaption and environmental protection. These will be backed - up by investment through British.
International Investment and the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure. They will include aid, trade, an exchange of expertise and closer cultural ties.
In his address taking place at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in London, James Cleverly set out plans to work alongside countries and regions at the forefront of future growth and development, including across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The Foreign Secretary highlighted the benefits of maintaining our existing solid relationships and at the same time building future partnerships that will reinforce the principles, rules and global institutions that have fostered an unprecedented period of relative peace and prosperity for more people than at any time in history. Through this, he made clear the need to create a credible and reliable alternative to countries like Russia, who not only test those principles and rules but actively and aggressively flout them, resulting in a huge loss of life, as we have seen in Ukraine.
The vision will include a willingness to commit for the long term with a foreign policy aim designed for decades and that embeds the idea of thinking in such timescales.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “In the coming decades, an ever greater share of the world economy and therefore of world power will be in the hands of nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
“The UK offer will be tailored to their needs and UK strengths, spanning trade, investment, development, defence, technology and climate change. This will be backed - up with a reliable source of infrastructure investment.
So I’m determined that we will make investments of faith in the countries that will shape the world’s future.
“We will show strategic endurance, willing to commit for the long term. I want our foreign policy to be constantly planning for tomorrow, scanning the horizon, looking 10, 15 and 20 years ahead.”
The British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams commented:
“The Foreign Secretary sets out an approach of building relationships through patient diplomacy, consistent with the ASEAN way and based on respect, solidarity, and a willingness to listen”.
“This is the approach we are taking in Cambodia seeking a balanced, honest and mutually beneficial relationship, based on shared interests, respect and common principles.
“We recognize the peace, stability and prosperity that Cambodia has achieved over the last 30 years. We share the government’s goal to generate further growth and create jobs for young people because building towards Cambodia’s bright future in partnership will help us secure a deep and lasting friendship.
