(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed that land and the people remain the highest priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia, emphasizing that national sovereignty and the protection of citizens’ lives will never be compromised.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Feb. 10) during a meeting with Grade A high school students at OCIC in Chroy Changvar, Phnom Penh.

“I will not go into details regarding the issues or the measures taken to resolve them,” he said, “but I wish to clearly reaffirm that from the very beginning, including during the first and second armed clashes, the issues of land and the people have always been the top priorities of the Royal Government. […] This duty, to safeguard national sovereignty and protect the lives of our people, will never be abandoned.”

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei expressed deep gratitude to Cambodian citizens at home and abroad, especially the youth, for their unity and solidarity in supporting members of the armed forces and national police, as well as in assisting displaced civilians. He noted that such collective action reflects a strong sense of patriotism and a powerful national spirit that enables the country to overcome challenging times.

Samdech Thipadei further emphasized that this unity demonstrates a fundamental truth: no one can support Cambodians better than Cambodians themselves. He also acknowledged the deep concerns and anxieties of families and citizens nationwide over border-related incidents that have resulted in loss of life, injuries to civilians and security forces, and damage to public infrastructure and private property.

In this regard, Samdech Thipadei reaffirmed that the Royal Government will always choose approaches that uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity while minimizing harm and suffering to the people. He called for public understanding, noting that although specific measures to resolve the border issue with Thailand cannot be disclosed, the government has consistently made and will continue to make every effort to address the situation responsibly.
=FRESH NEWS