PHNOM PENH: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with former Prime Minister Hun Sen during his first visit to Cambodia since being put in office last month. During their meeting, the Thai PM praised Hun Sen and said that he considered the former PM, who held on to his position for over 38 years, a leader that has instilled him with valuable lessons.
During the September 28 meeting, the two politicians exchanged pleasantries and spoke about the progression of the partnership between their two countries as Hun Sen’s son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, ushers Cambodia into a new era. The Thai PM appreciated the former PM’s sacrifice in stepping down to allow the new generation to take power.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet earlier in the week, both PMs expressed hope that the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand would continue to grow stronger. The Thai PM also thanked Cambodian migrant workers for their contribution to the Thai economy and promised to take care of their situation while living in his country.
Hun Sen, who is now President of the Cambodian People’s Party and Supreme Advisor to the King, praised the talks between the Cambodian and Thai PMs, then went on to detail his own achievements while in office. He noted that the next generation administration is ready to maintain the achievements of his own government while creating their own success towards Cambodia’s growth and development.
He then mused about the role of him and his allies in ending the civil war, which he says brought about territorial unity for the first time in 500 years. He said that since 1998, when he took total control of the prime ministerial powers, he set two goals: to turn what were once battlefields into developed areas and to turn the war-prone borders into zones of peace, cooperation and development.
He continued to say that over the last 25 years, he worked hard as CPP President and prime minister to establish good relations with neighboring countries, including Laos and Vietnam, allowing for increased trade.
He added that cooperation between bordering countries is essential to trade, cultural exchange and mutual assistance for natural disaster responses, which relies on the agreement of the Thai prime minister.
