Source:
IFI
“Experience is showing how opening up to trade is helping these dynamic
countries raise living standards. At the same time, their markets
provide opportunities for European exporters, so we really do have a
win-win situation”, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht declared on 20
March upon return from a 3-day trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
In 2013, bilateral trade in goods with Cambodia reached €2.8 bn, rising
from €2.1 bn in 2012. Cambodian exports to the EU rose by 30% to hit
€2.4 bn. In 2013, the EU was Cambodia's biggest export market.
The EU considers the continuing of EU dialogue with those countries an
effective tool to improve the democratic and Human Rights situation in
those countries. Thus, the EC will not carry out an investigation with a
view to the suspension of trade preferences granted to Cambodia.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by Sam Rainsy is still
fighting with nonviolence Hun Sen regime following the illegal and
disputed results of the 28 July 2013 national elections. Rainsy calls
for an independent inquiry because of the serious irregularities.
Since January this year the constitutional right to freedom of assembly
has been denied. A de facto martial law is imposed. The question is:
what else needs to happen in order to stop Hun Sen’s long-lasting status
quo? I am afraid the EU will lose not only its credibility and soft
power but above all the faith of its citizens in the coming EU
elections, should it keep on acting in such a blind way. Courtesy the
radical party.
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