General Sem Sovanny (right) meets with Australian defence attache Tony Peck on January 18. NPMEC
Cambodia and Australia are intensifying their commitment to peacekeeping missions and broadening the scope of joint training initiatives.
In a move to bolster its capabilities, the Kingdom has sought Australia’s expertise in providing a diverse range of programmes, encompassing both short- and long-term courses, targeting not only blue helmet forces but also other Cambodian military units.
The pledge was reiterated during a January 18 meeting between newly appointed Australian defence attache to Cambodia Tony Peck and General Sem Sovanny, first vice-chairman of the National Coordination Committee and director-general of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC), as reported by the centre.
At the meeting, Sovanny warmly welcomed the attache and expressed gratitude to the Australian government, military and people for their assistance in Cambodia’s peacekeeping missions.
He recalled that Australia was the first country to provide Cambodian military officers, chiefs and observers with mine clearance training.
The general reflected on the 72 years of Cambodia-Australia bilateral relations, highlighting that for 32 years, the Kingdom has welcomed over 500 Australian blue helmet forces and numerous senior officials during the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) era, led by former Force Commander Lieutenant General John Sanderson.
Sovanny acknowledged their important contributions to the country.
He expressed hope that Australia would increase the provision of training courses, including both long- and short-term programmes, covering blue-helmet, police and military personnel both domestically and internationally.
He suggested that Australia expand their training for Cambodia from bilateral to tripartite levels, referencing the government’s commitment to peacekeeping missions at the previous UN General Assembly.
Peck acknowledged the progress in collaboration and commended Cambodia for transitioning from a blue-helmet assistance-receiving country to one that sends forces to other countries worldwide.
He was pleased to accept the country’s request, affirming Australia’s commitment to continue strengthening cooperation, with a particular emphasis on military training.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted Australia’s successful mission in the country between 1991 and 1993 during the UNTAC period and expressed optimism about future military collaboration and peacekeeping missions between the two nations.
“Cambodia-Australia relations are on the right track, even though a small number of opposition politicians have criticised the Kingdom over its democratic and political space to satisfy their voters on Australian soil,” he stated.
Australia has provided Cambodia with 25 domestic and international training courses attended by a total of 154 participants, as per NPMEC.
