The government has "no interest" in what a "rebel group" had to say after it was urged to reopen the democratic space to retain Cambodia's access to the EU's "Everything But Arms" agreement, said spokesman Phay Siphan.

"The Hun Sen regime must comply with the EU's requirements. It is very simple – immediately and unconditionally release Kem Sokha and drop all charges against him.

"Kem Sokha continues to remain under house arrest while an investigation is completed by the investigating judge. The court should either release him or set a trial date," Mu Sochua, the CNRP's vice-president, told The Post on Wednesday.

On Monday, the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) issued a statement expressing support for the EU's position on Cambodia keeping EBA and accusing the government of instilling "an atmosphere of fear".

European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini reiterated the bloc's position in talks with Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in Bangkok last week.

“We have no interest in what the political party that was dissolved and become a rebel group has to say. It does not carry value and we should not take notice of it nor care about it. That party has become a ‘ghost party’,” Siphan said on Tuesday.