EU willing to boost ties with Cambodia

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said here Friday that the European Union (EU) is willing to strengthen and expand relations and cooperation with Cambodia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole. Van Rompuy expressed the desire during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace, Eang Sophallet, personal assistant to the prime minister told reporters after the meeting. Van Rompuy said that the EU will continue supporting Cambodia in its efforts to reform in a number of sectors. He also expressed deep sympathy over the death of former King Norodom Sihanouk. Hun Sen said that Cambodia has been deepening reforms of public financial, public administration, land, legal and judicial sectors, as well as in the armed forces, while fighting against corruption. He extended profound thanks to the EU for supporting Cambodia in economic and social development and suggested that the EU continue assisting Cambodia in education and other ongoing projects. Van Rompuy and his wife Geertrui Windels-Van Rompuy arrived here on Friday afternoon for a three-day official visit to promote ties and pay their tribute to recently deceased former King Norodom Sihanouk.