PHNOM PENH: Seven nations have accepted Cambodia's newly appointed ambassadors to their countries, including the three largest powers in the European Union. The new Cambodian administration is taking this as a sign that the West is ready to work with them under Prime Minister Hun Manet’s leadership.
Luy David, who will be starting as Cambodia's ambassador to France in September, held a news conference at the National Assembly upon hearing the news. He said that his first job as a diplomat in France will be to establish relations with the president and key ministers of the French Republic. He also aims to build relations with the Cambodian community in France to educate them on the current state of Cambodia. He said that “opposition politicians” confuse Cambodians who live abroad, likely referring to Sam Rainsy, who lives in self-exile in France.
He said, "Some Cambodians returned to Cambodia and saw with their own eyes. But there are some people that never came back. They listened to others and listened to the incitement of some politicians who tend to oppose us, so they get confused. The job of the ambassador is to make them understand how much we know about our country and to make them smile. To see our country with their own eyes is also a good thing."
The seven countries that have accepted the new Cambodian ambassadors are France, Britain, Germany, Turkey, Indonesia, Laos and Serbia.
Luy David said that the acceptance of Cambodia’s new ambassadors is a clear sign that the West intends to work with the new administration. Last month, the EU released a statement questioning the democratic value of the election that placed the new members in power.
"We are recognized as ambassadors in those countries-from the new government and from the new election. It is clear that whether they want to or not, they are working with our new government." he said.
The seven new ambassadors met and received guidance from the National Assembly President Khuon Sodary, who instructed the new ambassadors to work hard to take responsibility for the prestige of Cambodia in their host country. She said it is necessary to promote diplomatic economy to attract tourists and expand the Cambodian export market.
