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Asia and Oceania
Cambodia |
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Last reviewed: 2 May 2008 |
Country information
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Relations with Neighbours
Cambodia enjoys cordial bilateral relations with all its regional neighbours. Relations with Thailand, however, deteriorated sharply in January 2003 when anti-Thai riots erupted in Phnom Penh, leading to the burning down of the Thai Embassy and the premises of a number of Thai businesses. There continue to be occasional problems with Thailand over the question of the Preah Vehear temple site, which is on the common border. However, bilateral relations between Cambodia and Thailand have returned to normal. Cambodia will continue to co-operate closely with neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand, particularly on plans to define its land borders with these countries. Since Cambodia joined the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1999, its foreign policy has been largely regionally-focused.
Relations with the International Community
Cambodia benefited enormously from the involvement of the UN, in particular the UK and the other members of the Security Council, in reaching a settlement of its civil war in the early 1990s. Thereafter the international community particularly China, Japan, the US and the EU have invested heavily in the reconstruction of the country, which was severely damaged by 20 years of civil war.
Though the UN’s contribution to Cambodia helped stabilise the country, the government continues to have sometimes-difficult relations with the UN on human rights issues. Cambodia’s human rights record is often criticised. China is also significant donor. In 2007 the international donors represented at the CDCF contributed assistance amounting to approximately 50% of the national budget.
Relations with the UK
The first resident British Ambassador arrived shortly after independence in 1953. The Embassy closed in March 1975 a month before the Khmer Rouge take-over. In May 1975 the UK recognised the government of Democratic Kampuchea and diplomatic relations were established in 1976. However, the Embassy was not reopened and no British diplomats visited Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge period. Britain was the first country to publicly condemn the violation of human rights in Cambodia by raising the issue at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva in March 1978. After clearer evidence of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge emerged, the British Government formally withdrew recognition of Democratic Kampuchea in December 1979.
In 1991 a British Mission was opened in Phnom Penh which became the British Embassy following the 1993 elections.
We have 4 UK-based FCO staff at the Embassy in Phnom Penh and 20 locally employed staff, in addition to a DFID country programme, with 7 UK-based DFID staff and 9 locally employed support staff co-located with the Embassy. A Cambodian Embassy opened in London in 2004.
UK Development Assistance
UK Department for International Development (DFID) support for Cambodia is set out in DFID’s Country Assistance Plan (2005-2008). In 2007/8 DFID contributed £12.7 million to support the implementation of Cambodia's National Strategic Development Plan. The budget will increase to £16 million in 2008/9, rising to £22 million by 2011. The National Strategic Development Plan includes ambitious plans for accelerating and diversifying growth, reducing rural poverty, and providing vital basic services.
DFID support focuses on 4 objectives:
- increasing the impact of development resources in Cambodia by supporting improved public financial management and better donor coordination
- more responsive, accountable and effective local government
- improved livelihoods for poor rural people
- better health services and information.
In 2007 the Secretary of State for International Development agreed a £7.5 million, 3-year general budget support programme to Cambodia. This is in support of a multi-donor programme led by the World Bank and also including the EC and Japan. In total budget support resources are expected to reach around $30 million pa, or 5-10% of total assistance to Cambodia. The budget support programme complements the UK’s sector programmes with high-level cross-cutting incentives, monitoring and policy dialogue.
In 2006 DFID approved a 5-year £13.6 million contribution to a rural livelihoods programme managed by the Danish Development agency, Danida, which aims to strengthen the planning and sustainable use of natural resources (particularly land, fisheries and forests) and improve the livelihoods of some of the poorest people in over 40% communes. We also approved £6m additional funding to support local governance reforms and launched a new £2.3 million programme to reduce the number of women dying from unsafe abortions and help women access family planning services.
For more information on DFID programmes in Cambodia please visit http://www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/cambodia.asp
The UK is well represented through the NGO community, including VSO (around 90 volunteeers), OXFAM, The Cambodia Trust and the 2 major de-mining charities: The Hazardous Area Life Support Organisation (HALO) Trust and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
Adoptions
Following a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004 by the Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, the UK imposed a temporary suspension of adoptions of Cambodian children by UK residents. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) recently conducted a review of the temporary suspension of adoptions of Cambodian children by UK residents in 2007/08, the findings of which were published on 2 April 2008. The review has resulted in the continued suspension of adoptions of Cambodian children by UK residents.
DCSF has lead responsibility for inter-country adoption. Further information can be obtained from their website: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/intercountryadoption/
Cultural Relations with the UK
The UK resident community is estimated to number around 1,500, with many spread across the country involved in aid programmes/projects. The number of tourists visiting Cambodia is growing each year (84,103 in 2007).
Recent Visits
Inward
- January 1998 - Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Minister of the Interior, Sar Kheng.
- September 2001 - Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Long Visalo.
- February 2002 - Cambodian Environment Minister, Dr Mok Mareth.
- August/September 2002 - Director General of the Cambodian National Institute of Statistics at the Ministry of Planning, San Sy Than.
- January 2003 - Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Mr Em Sam An to attend the Lancaster House Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
- January 2003 - Director of Anti-human Trafficking and Minors Protection Department, Ministry of Interior, Brigadier-General Mrs Un Sokunthea to attend the Wilton Park Conference on Combating Child Abuse on the Internet.
- April/May 2003 - Om Yientieng, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee and senior adviser to the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen.
- Sept/Oct 2003 - SOK Siphana, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce attended Wilton Park Conference on Japan and East Asia in a globalising world.
- January 2005 - HE ANG Vong Vathana, Minister of Justice
- September 2005 - Brig Gen Mrs U N Sokunthea, Director of the Anti Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department, Ministry of Interior
- December 2005 - HE Kep Chuktema, Governor of the Municipality of Phnom Penh
- March 2006 - Gen SOK Phal, Deputy Commissioner General of Cambodian National Police, Ministry of Interior & Pol Maj Gen Meach Sophana, Director of Immigration Department
- March 2006 - Cambodian delegation to the London Asia 2015 conference:
HE Keat Chhon, Senior Minister, Ministry of Economy and Finance
HE Hang Chuon Naron, Secretary General, Ministry of Economy and Finance
HE Mr Chhieng Yanara, Deputy Secretary General, Council for the Development of Cambodia
Ms Chuth Leang Vanny, Deputy Director of Gender Equality and Economic Development, Ministry of Women's Affairs
Mr Van Sou leng, Chairman, Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia
Mr In Channy, president and CEO, Acleda Bank
Mr Sok Hach, Director, Economic Institute of Cambodia
Mr Heng Monychenda, Buddhism for Development
Ms Boua Chantou, Director, PADEK - September 2007 - HE Nuth Sokhom, Minister of Health - International Health Partnership
Outward
- May 1998 - Former Foreign Office Minister, the late Derek Fatchett.
- March 1999 - Home Office Minister, Lord Williams.
- September 2000 - Deputy Under Secretary of State at The Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Peter Westmacott.
- February 2001 - The House of Commons International Development Committee.
- May 2002 - HRH The Princess Royal.
- March 2003 - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Sally Keeble.
- July 2005 - Ian Pearson, FCO PUSS and Minister for Trade.
- November 2005 - Suma Chakrabati, Permanent Under Secretary, Department for International Development.
- October 2007 - Inter Parliamentary Union, British Group delegation led by Rt Hon Ann Clwyd MP.
- April 2008 - Mr Andrew Mitchell, Member of Parliament and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Lord Michael Ashcroft, Member of the House of Lords