By Soy Ratana
May 26th, 2014: In an event organized by the Cambodia Center for Cooperation and Peace (CICP) and the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh, two panels of economic experts from both nations came together to discuss the role of Australia in the regional development of Cambodia and ASEAN at large. 2014 marks the 40 year anniversary of Australia’s participation in the ASEAN Dialogue Partnership program and this event is a symbol of Australia’s commitment to ASEAN nations, in particular, Cambodia.
The University of Cambodia was invited to attend the dialogue and sent one lecturer and two students to represent the university and participate in the Q&A conversation following the panel discussions. Dr. In Sophal was the representative professor for the event, he was joined by Mr. Soy Ratana and Ms. Chhun Molika, students from the College of Social Sciences.
H.E. Dr. Chap Sothearith, Advisor and Chief of Cabinet for the Deputy Prime Minter gave the opening remarks where he introduced Australia’s role in the regional development of ASEAN and Cambodia. His speech was immediately followed by a special remark from H.E. Ms. Alison Burrows the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. She discussed how Australia has played a vital role in developing regional cooperation and maintaining peace, prosperity and stability to the region. She spoke about the importance of dealing with security issues in a peaceful and cooperative way and encouraged intra-ASEAN dialogue regarding the arising conflict in the South China Sea. She concluded by reaffirming Australia’s invested interest in the region and their intention to deepen ties with all ASEAN member nations.
The first panel also included a presentation by Dr. Sally Percival Wood, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from Deakin University in Australia. She discussed the past 40 years of Australia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership, which has focused on the evolution of economic regionalism and approaches to regional security. However, she pointed out that although Australia is very proud of being ASEAN’s first dialogue
partner, the past 40 years have not always promoted progress for the region. Australia played a minimal role as a trading partner in the early 1970s and their protectionist policies regarding international trade did not help ASEAN nations as they struggled to build their economies. It was not until the late 1980s with the founding of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that economic cooperation and
collaboration really began to assist ASEAN nation’s economic growth and development.
The first panel was concluded that Australia’s role in Cambodia’s development has been steadily developing over time in a solid manner. In regards to the conflict in the South China Sea, whatever action Cambodia chooses to take regarding the resolution of this conflict, will be made based on the interests and security of Cambodian citizens and diplomacy.
The second panel consisted of a brief discussion between Dr. Sally Percival Wood and H.E. Ambassador Pou Sothirak, Executive Director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace. The purpose of this discussion was to seek out major challenges and potentialities in areas of diplomatic cooperation and how Australia can further understand and strengthen its assistance, cooperation, grants, and donation aids to Cambodia.
Following the discussion, the dialogue was opened to questions from all participants. Mr. Soy Ratana, a student from the College of Social Sciences at UC raised an important question to panel member Dr. Sally Percival Wood regarding the full integration of the ASEAN Economic Community. Dr. Wood mentioned in her presentation that she does not believe this integration will be able to be achieved by the 2015 timeline and suggested that it was unlikely to happen by 2020 either. Mr. Ratana asked, “When or what is the suitable or exact time for the ASEAN integration if it is not in 2015 or 2020, from your respective opinion? In this regard, what are the specific roles of Australia and what has the Australian government done in fastening and accelerating this integration as Australia is one of the ASEAN Dialogue
Partners.”
inequality gap between ASEAN nations, noting that some countries are not ready for full scale integration because their economic foundation remains weak. She noted that Cambodia remains too dependent on foreign imports rather than producing its Partnership, which has focused on the evolution of economic regionalism and approaches to regional security. However, she pointed out that although Australia
is very proud of being ASEAN’s first dialogue partner, the past 40 years have not always promoted progress for the region. Australia played a minimal role as a trading partner in the early 1970s and their
protectionist policies regarding international trade did not help ASEAN nations as they struggled to build their economies. It was not until the late 1980s with the founding of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that economic cooperation and collaboration really began to assist ASEAN nation’s economic growth and development.
The first panel was concluded that Australia’s role in Cambodia’s development has been steadily developing over time in a solid manner. In regards to the conflict in the South China Sea, whatever action Cambodia chooses to take regarding the resolution of this conflict, will be made based on the interests and security of Cambodian citizens and diplomacy.
The second panel consisted of a brief discussion between Dr. Sally Percival Wood and H.E. Ambassador Pou Sothirak, Executive Director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace. The purpose of this discussion was to seek out major challenges and potentialities in areas of diplomatic cooperation and how Australia can further understand and strengthen its assistance, cooperation, grants, and donation aids to Cambodia.
Following the discussion, the dialogue was opened to questions from all participants. Mr. Soy Ratana, a student from the College of Social Sciences at UC raised an important question to panel member Dr. Sally Percival Wood regarding the full integration of the ASEAN Economic Community. Dr. Wood mentioned in her presentation that she does not believe this integration will be able to be achieved by own products. Regarding Australia’s role in accelerating ASEAN integration, she suggested that trade between Australia and ASEAN is a key factor in facilitating integration because it promotes economic development for ASEAN as a whole. Dr. Wood expressed her hope to see a more dramatic positive trade curve between ASEAN nations and Australia, and in that way Australia would play a more proactive role in the future of ASEAN integration.
Finally after an hour of tense questions and answers, the dialogue ended with a warm closing remark from H.E. Ambassador Pou Sothirak. He thanked the panelists and the guests and expressed his hope for continued cooperation and collaboration between Cambodia and Australia.
