PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged East Asian countries to facilitate cross-border travel to accelerate socio-economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. Addressing the 16th East Asia Summit on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister stated that the Covid-19 crisis remains a major concern for the world, urging all countries to work as a team to fight Covid-19 with the development of vaccines and treatments.

He added that while overcoming the Covid-19 crisis, the world must continue ensuring smooth production, uninterrupted supply chains and cross-border trade, strengthening the capacity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enhancing the capacity of women and youth entrepreneurship, promoting connectivity and facilitating cross-border travel.

He says, “In this spirit, Cambodia congratulates the adoption of the ‘EAS Leaders’ Statement on Economic Growth through Tourism Recovery’ and ‘EAS Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Recovery’”.

During the meeting, Prime Minister also expressed his desire to see Asia as a non-nuclear region of peace and stability. He called on all initiatives to be launched by East Asian countries to respect the ASEAN Commonwealth, based on existing principles and mutual respect for maintaining stability, security, peace and prosperity in the region.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional forum held annually by leaders of 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism.