DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “Cambodian, Swiss senior senators pledge to boost bilateral ties” plus 3 more

PHNOM PENH, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian and Swiss senior senators on Monday pledged to help promote bilateral cooperation, particularly in legal field, economics and trade for mutual benefits.

The pledge was made during a meeting between First Vice President of the Senate of Cambodia Say Chhum and visiting President of the Swiss Council of States (Senate) Filippo Lombardi, said a press statement from the Senate of Cambodia after the meeting.

In the meeting, Say Chhum said Lombardi's visit was very important to further enhance good friendship relations, solidarity and cooperation between Switzerland and Cambodia, particularly between the two Senates, the statement said.

He also thanked the Swiss government for helping Cambodia in health sector development, woman and children rights protection and cultural heritage renovation and conservation.

Say Chhum also asked Lombardi to encourage Swiss investors and business people to Cambodia in order to promote bilateral economic and trade ties.

Lombardi agreed that it was very significant to strengthen bilateral ties in legal field, trade and investment in order to create closer relationship between the two countries.

He hailed Cambodia for its rapid development in all fields, especially the progress in economy, poverty reduction, democratic process and rule of law.

He invited Say Chhum to visit Switzerland at any convenient time to further promote the bilateral ties.

Cambodia and Switzerland forged the diplomatic ties in 1967.

YANGON, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar selected team comprising 35 athletes, four coaches and two managers will take part in the 2nd Southeast Asian Vovinam Championship to be held in Siam Reap of Cambodia from Tuesday to Thursday, said the official daily New Light of Myanmar Monday.

It will be the first international sports tour for Myanmar Vovinam team.

Myanmar selected Vovinam team tentatively formed with 52 athletes had received a joint training in Vietnam from March 16 to April 14.

After the championship in Cambodia, it is planned to hire a coach from Vietnam.

Vovinam (Martial Arts Vietnam) is a Vietnamese sports that will be included in the 27th SEA Games.

PHNOM PENH, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prince Sisowath Thomico said Sunday that he would resign from his current position as personal secretary to Queen Mother Norodom Monineath in order to focus on his political career towards July's general election.

The position of personal secretary to the Queen Mother is equivalent to that of a minister.

"I told the Queen Mother already and I will give my resignation letter to her on Wednesday next week," he told Xinhua over telephone.

"I don't want politicians to involve the names of the Queen Mother and King Norodom Sihamoni in political issues because of me, " said Thomico, who has recently joined the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party and runs as a candidate for the members of parliament to represent Preah Sihanouk province in the upcoming polls.

The prince's resignation was made after Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 16 criticized him for using his association with the royal family to round up votes for the opposition party ahead of July's general election.

"This poses a danger to the royal family because this prince uses the name of former King Norodom Sihanouk and uses the name on behalf of the royal cabinet of the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath to gain popularity for the opposition party," the premier said.

At that time, he also suggested to Queen Mother Norodom Monineath that she remove Thomico from his position for using the royal family as a political tool.

Cambodia will have a general election on July 28, according to the National Election Committee. Eight political parties will run in the forthcoming election, and some 9.67 million eligible Cambodians are expected to vote.

Three major parties are competing in the poll, including the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self-exiled leader Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Political analysts predict that the ruling party of Prime Minister Hun Sun will win the majority in the election.

Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and vowed to stay in office until he is 74Enditem

PHNOM PENH, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Surya P. Subedi, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights to Cambodia, on Saturday appealed to all political parties and the election body to do everything in accordance with law in order to ensure that the July's general election would be free and fair.

"I once again urge all parties and National Election Committee to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections," he said in a press briefing after a one-week fact-finding mission on human rights situation in Cambodia. "All sides should play by the rules, demonstrate maturity in debate, and not engage in insulting games. "

The envoy also urged for fair and equitable access to the state media and the strict prohibition of use of state resources by any political party during the election campaign.

Moreover, he appealed to all sides concerned to refrain completely from exploiting racial sentiments to garner support for their election campaign.

"I will continue to monitor the electoral system and process in the country," he said.

Cambodia is scheduled to hold a general election on July 28, according to the National Election Committee. Eight political parties will run in the forthcoming election, which will be voted by some 9.67 million eligible Cambodians.

Three major parties among them are the ruling Cambodian People' s Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self-exiled leader Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday expressed his "firm confidence " that his party would undoubtedly win in the upcoming polls.

"The opponents always say that Hun Sen will lose in the election, but Hun Sen will win forever because of the support from the people," Hun Sen said during the inauguration of a large-scale Buddha statue in eastern Kampong Cham province.

Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and vowed to stay in the office until he is 74.