Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has requested that France resume its support for humanitarian demining efforts in Cambodia, just as it did during the UNTAC era.
The request was made during a working meeting between Thuch and French ambassador Olivier Richard, today, October 13.
Thuch noted that France had previously provided demining training to the Cambodian during the time of UNTAC. Since 2009, France has also supported training programmes and provided equipment to the Cambodian forces which participate in UN peacekeeping missions.
France also contributed to past demining work at archaeological sites in Siem Reap province, to support the APSARA National Authority.
“Thuch wishes to see France rejoin the Royal Government of Cambodia in supporting humanitarian mine action,” said a CMAA statement.
The ambassador suggested that he would report the request to the French government for consideration, it added.
On behalf of the Cambodian government, Thuch shared his appreciation for the historic relationship, close friendship, strong cooperation and long-term partnership between the nations and peoples of Cambodia and France. He also expressed gratitude to the France for its contributions to the peace process and development in Cambodia.
He thanked France for supporting Cambodia’s role as chair and host of the 11th Meeting of State Parties to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines in 2011, and for standing with Cambodia as chair and host of the 5th Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention in 2024.
Regarding the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute, Thuch underlined Cambodia’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, to resolving border issues through peaceful means and in accordance with established international law, with the specific intention of transforming border areas into zones of peace.
The ambassador expressed his support for peace and encouraged continued peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He also praised the achievements of the Royal Government in its more than 30 years of efforts in mine clearance.
