British foreign office minister to visit Cambodia on ties

[geovalin]

The British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Hugo Swire will pay a two-day visit to Cambodia on Thursday to further enhance bilateral ties, according to a press statement from the British Embassy to Cambodia on Wednesday.

"The visit is part of a sustained program of ministerial engagement with Southeast Asian countries to strengthen ties and build new links," the statement said.

"I am very pleased to be making my first trip to Cambodia," Swire said in the statement. "Cambodia is a vibrant and exciting country where the United Kingdom is keen to deepen engagement."

He said his visit is to explore the potential to increase trade links between the two countries as a basis for future economic growth.

"I also want to better understand the current political landscape and challenges that remain in ensuring a peaceful, secure and democratic future for Cambodia," he said.

During his stay, Swire will call on Prime Minister Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and leaders of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to discuss the current political situation.

Cambodia has been trapped in political dispute since the general election in July last year. The election results showed that the Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party won 68 parliamentary seats and the Sam Rainsy's opposition CNRP got the remaining 55 seats.

Claiming serious irregularities, the opposition refused to accept the outcome and has boycotted parliament and held protests in order to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re-election.

Hun Sen has said that he would neither step down nor call a re- vote.

The leaders of the two parties met twice in September in a bid to resolve their political differences, but the talks failed to reach any agreements.

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