Hun Sen Mocks Opposition Request for Donors to Freeze Aid

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday rebuked the opposition for urging foreign donors to refrain from signing any new agreements with the government until after the election and boasted of a new $26 million handed over last week by the European Union (E.U.) … E.U. Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain signed the five-year deal for 20 million euros, or about $26.2 million, on Thursday—the same day the opposition issued its call for a freeze—along with Mr. Sarun and Finance Minister Keat Chhon. … According to a copy of Mr. Cautain’s speech at the signing ceremony, the E.U. had been working with the government on the deal for the past two-and-a-half years and was giving aid for the first time to an entire sector rather than a specific project. “This is, from our side, a strong show of confidence and trust in the capabilities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to efficiently and properly manage our funding in order to realize the objectives of this financing agreement,” Mr. Cautain said. …

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