Vong Sokheng

In the eyes of its neighbours, Cambodia is a peaceful place, National Assembly spokesman Chheang Vun said after the first official day of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly yesterday.

Amid a beefed-up police presence and weeks of political turmoil, including the beating of two opposition lawmakers outside the National Assembly and levelling of three lawsuits against opposition leader Sam Rainsy, now in self-imposed exile in Europe, the eighth plenary of the APA has kicked off at Phnom Penh’s Sokha Hotel.

Involving parliamentarians from 22 countries, the four-day meeting aims to promote peace, reconciliation and dialogue in Asia. Speaking to reporters after the delegates’ first closed-door meeting, Vun explained Cambodia was selected as the APA host because its neighbours believe it to be a peaceful place.

read more: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/asia-meet-kicks-capital

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 8th Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) will kick off in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Spokesman for Cambodia's Parliament Chheang Vun said on Tuesday.

The 8th APA, running from Wednesday to Friday, will bring together parliamentary presidents and representatives of 22 countries.

"During the 8th APA, the parliamentary presidents and representatives will discuss and exchange views on the issues of politics, economics, finance, social affairs and so on," Chheang Vun told a press conference.

He said the APA aims to promote peace, reconciliation and dialogue in Asia.

Security will be tightened in the capital during the assembly.

Lieutenant General Touch Naroth, deputy chief of the National Police, said last week that more than 5,000 security personnel would be deployed along key streets and venues to ensure security and safety for participating delegates.

source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/08/c_134896912.htm