EU Ambassador Meets Sok An, Says CNRP Should Take Seats
Popular online news website CEN (Cambodia Express News) reported Wednesday that European Union (E.U.) Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain told CPP Deputy Prime Minister Sok An that the E.U. wished to see the opposition CNRP take their seats in the National Assembly. Mr. Cautain’s comments were made during a meeting with the deputy prime minister at the Council of Ministers Wednesday morning, CEN reported. “Mr. Jean Francois Cautin [sic], E.U. ambassador in Cambodia, has showed that his stance is to see the two winning parties sit together in the assembly to improve democracy in Cambodia,” CEN reported. … Pok Poun, the E.U. delegation’s press officer, confirmed that Mr. Cautain and Mr. An had met. “The E.U. Ambassador stressed that the National Assembly cannot serve its purpose without the participation of all elected parties and that elected parties shall cooperate so that the mandate given to the National Assembly by the Cambodian people can be fulfilled,” Ms. Poun said in an email. CNRP chief whip Son Chhay said further negotiations with the ruling CPP, and compromises by it, were necessary before the opposition would consider taking their seats. … Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said the E.U. ambassador “wants to see the opposition party take their seats and [for there to be] a compromise between the parties.” …
Mech Dara and Alex Willemyns
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/eu-ambassador-meets-sok-an-says-cnrp-should-take-seats-44310/
