Cambodia's PM highlights 6 key priorities of foreign policy

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet has highlighted six key priorities of the kingdom's foreign policy, with a focus on relation expansion, multilateralism, and economic and cultural diplomacy.

He made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the foreign ministry's annual conference on March 5, said a foreign ministry's press release publicized late on Sunday.

The Southeast Asian country would continue to deepen existing bilateral ties and expand cordial relations with all nations, by fostering mutual trust and understanding, win-win partnerships in all sectors, with emphasis on building a border of peace, friendship, and cooperation with immediate neighbors, he said.

The kingdom would continue to advance multilateralism, by actively engaging in global governance, supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations, and reinforcing Cambodia's contributions to peace, stability, and sustainable development worldwide, he added.

Also, Cambodia would enhance ASEAN's centrality through consolidating ASEAN unity and central role in maintaining regional stability, supporting peaceful conflict resolution, and contributing to ASEAN's common interest and prosperity, Hun Manet said.

Furthermore, the kingdom would promote economic and cultural diplomacy to expand the country's presence in the global marketplace, increase trade relations, attract foreign investment, promote tourism, and leverage the country's cultural heritage to bolster economic growth and national image, he added.

The policy also gave focus on strengthening public diplomacy efforts to combat misinformation, protecting and promoting Cambodia's good image and national interests on the world stage, he said, adding that it would also enhance the strength of Cambodia's diplomacy through institutional reforms and improving operational efficiency and professionalism of Cambodia's foreign service.

According to the press release, Hun Manet also reaffirmed Cambodia's adherence to an independent foreign policy of permanent neutrality and non-alignment, based on the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, the Constitution of Cambodia and core national interests.