Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 22 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted two key aspects of the return of Khmer artifacts to Cambodia: the outcome of peace and the trust in the institutional capacity of the Royal Government.

The premier spoke on Thursday (Aug. 22) at the “Celebration of Returned Khmer Artifacts to Cambodia” in Phnom Penh.

Firstly, peace is crucial not only for ordinary people but also for the reunification of cultural heritage. With the solid foundation of Cambodia's peace and national unity, especially following the successful implementation of Samdech Techo Hun Sen's win-win policy, Cambodia has become a safe and welcoming environment for the return of these deities, which symbolize unity and cultural continuity.

The premier noted that without peace, the Royal Government would not have been able to mobilize resources to reclaim and protect this heritage. Furthermore, Cambodia’s international friends would not have cooperated in supporting the return of these artifacts. International partners have a shared responsibility to protect cultural heritage and cannot transfer valuable artifacts to a country experiencing war, insecurity, or unrest.

Samdech Thipadei stressed that while peace is easily lost, it is difficult to regain. Rebuilding it requires significant time and sacrifice, and thus, the Royal Government is committed to preserving peace at all costs.

Secondly, the trust and recognition of Cambodia’s institutional capacity to protect and preserve its heritage. When citizens and international partners have confidence in the Royal Government's ability to manage and promote these artifacts, they are more likely to support and collaborate in the heritage protection movement. This trust reassures the international community that Cambodia has the capability and commitment to uphold and celebrate its cultural values.

In this context, Samdech Thipadei expressed gratitude on behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts for its tireless efforts in safeguarding and promoting Cambodian culture. He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cambodian Embassy abroad, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Interior, and other relevant institutions for their cooperation and support in this challenging endeavor. Additionally, he acknowledged Soma Group and Canadia Bank for their financial contributions to support this important mission.

From 1996 to July 2024, a total of 1,098 Cambodian art objects—571 received from philanthropists and 527 from governments or institutions—have been returned to Cambodia from 15 countries, including the US, France, Australia, England, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, and China.
=FRESH NEWS