SIEM REAP, Cambodia (FN), Jan. 28 — Cambodian National Assembly President who is hosting the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly (FPA) said on Jan. 28 that the current political and social crises in the Middle East, in North Africa and in some countries in Europe continue to be a threat to world peace.

Presiding over the meeting in Siem Reap province, hometown Angkor Wat in which around 100 delegates from the FPA, foreign Embassies, and members of Cambodian Senate, National Assembly and Government, were participating, Heng Samrin said that strengthening regional peace, security and political stability continue to be potential challenges that require global efforts.

“It is obvious that we cannot address these challenges effectively at national level,” said Heng Samrin, “Therefore, closer and more comprehensive collaboration, especially through regional cooperation as well as in the framework of Francophone Parliamentary Assembly are needed,” he added.

Heng Samrin also said that the FPA played an important role in bringing about regional unity through its tasks of developing legislations that could be effective tools.

The meeting of the Steering Committee of the FPA is scheduled for three days from Jan. 28 through Jan.30 with participation of 14 member countries out of the 16 member countries of the institution.