‘We Do Not Want to Be Enemies’: CPP Laments Planned Closure of Swedish Embassy
Ruling party and civil society leaders on Friday expressed regret over the announced closure of the Swedish Embassy next year, with concerns raised over diplomatic relations and funding for human rights work.
The Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on Thursday that the Phnom Penh embassy would be closed by the end of 2021, and its work transferred to its embassy in Bangkok. It said it was part of the ministry’s “continuous adaptation.”
Swedish Ambassador Bjorn Haggmark said in an email on Friday that the closure stemmed from a change in strategy that was decided in June.
“This will affect certain areas and activities to which Sweden has contributed so far,” Haggmark said, with that work set to be carried out by Swedish aid agency Sida.
“What form Sida’s continued presence in Cambodia should take is currently under review.”
In June, the embassy said it would phase out bilateral funding to the Cambodian government to focus on human rights work.
In full: https://vodenglish.news/we-do-not-want-to-be-enemies-cpp-laments-planned-closure-of-swedish-embassy/
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Embassy of Sweden, Phnom Penh, Cambodia:Changes to Sweden’s presence in Cambodia
Changes are being made to Sweden’s diplomatic presence in Cambodia. The Swedish Government decided on the 26 Nov 2020 that the Embassy of Sweden in Phnom Penh will be closed by the end of 2021. Sweden has good relations with Cambodia. These will now continue in new ways.
The intention is to concurrently accredit the Ambassador in Bangkok to Cambodia, and the activities of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) will be transferred to the Embassy in Bangkok. The MFA will no longer have any staff stationed in Cambodia when the Embassy has been closed. Development cooperation will continue to be carried out by Sida.
These changes are part of the MFA’s continuous adaptation of its organisation abroad to external changes and new monitoring and service requirements. This is a constant process of change, and involves Sweden sometimes opening or closing embassies and consulates.
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