Recent developments have shown that Cambodia is playing an increasingly important role in the region to expand ASEAN and help countries in the region find peace. This important role has emerged from Cambodia’s two major commitments: mediating the Myanmar issue and pushing for East Timor to join ASEAN by the end of this year.
For Myanmar, Cambodia is willing to adopt a win-win policy to share experiences with Myanmar so that the country can have peace after the military seized power by force from the civilian regime in 2021.
When Cambodia assumed the ASEAN chairmanship in 2022, Cambodia showed many commitments, but because the crisis was so deep and the country’s history was complicated, Cambodia’s efforts needed more time to achieve success.
Myanmar leaders Still absent from the ASEAN Summit. However, many mechanisms that Cambodia has put forward have been further considered and implemented by ASEAN, especially the trilateral mechanism. This mechanism is the ASEAN Myanmar Crisis Resolution Working Group, which consists of the former ASEAN Chair, the new ASEAN Chair, and the future ASEAN Chair.
At this time Cambodia continues to work with other ASEAN members on the Myanmar issue to maintain ASEAN’s unity and neutrality. Another Cambodian effort is to bring East Timor into ASEAN.
When Cambodia led ASEAN, Cambodia’s efforts helped East Timor become an observer member of ASEAN. What Cambodia has helped to fuel this is to see East Timor and its people warmly welcome the Cambodian leader who has done this work.
The country’s President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister warmly received Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, during his recent visit to Dili. The President not only went to receive him, but also drove the car to Samdech Techo personally and honored him by inviting him to give a speech about Cambodia’s experience in preparing and fulfilling its role as the youngest member of ASEAN, currently to Timor-Leste.
Regarding Cambodia’s efforts, while ASEAN leaders are attending the 46th summit in Kuala Lumpur, Timor-Leste President José Ramos Herta wrote on his official social media that his country will become an ASEAN member at the 47th summit, where ASEAN leaders are scheduled to meet again before the end of the year.
In summary The fruits of Cambodia’s efforts are gradually taking shape, and what East Timor has achieved in the short term is also a testament to and recognition of Cambodia’s diplomatic experience.
Although Cambodia is currently the youngest member of ASEAN, it has at least helped to support East Timor in becoming a new member of ASEAN. This is a new diplomatic success of Cambodia that has contributed to the success of the East Timorese nation.
Therefore, Cambodia’s active activities in regional affairs are increasingly prominent in the eyes of ASEAN countries as well as the world.
This is a matter of pride for the people and the entire country of Cambodia, which has transformed from a country that receives assistance from others to a country that supports other countries in resolving political crises. and the expansion of ASEAN membership.
