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KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA
OPENNING REMARK Cambodia-Denmark
High Level Bilateral Consultations
Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Head of Department, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tom Barthel Hansen, Head of Representation from Royal Danish Embassy ─ Development Cooperation Section & MDLFMembers of the Danish Delegation Excellencies and Colleagues from RGC's ministries and agencies Ladies and Gentlemen 1. It is a great honor for me to welcome the Danish delegation to the High-Level Bilateral Consultations between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Royal Government of Denmark. On behalf of the Royal Government and in particular my colleagues, I would like to extend our warmest greetings to Mr. Martin Bille Hermann, Head of Department, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tom Barthel Hansen, Head of Danish Development Cooperation, and the other members of the Danish Delegation. Our consultation is also joined by excellencies and colleagues from the Royal Government representing ministries and agencies that implement projects and programmes funded by Danish Government; and I would like to welcome them to this High-Level Bilateral Consultations. 2. Denmark has been a committed partner in Cambodia's development efforts since 1992 and I would like to note at the outset that the Royal Government appreciates and values this continued support and commitment to the Government's priorities as set out in the Rectangular Strategy--Phase 11 and the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). I would like to emphasize that the Royal Government considers the consultations an important process for further strengthening the development cooperation partnership and deepening the understanding and mutual respect between our two governments. More importantly, the consultations will contribute to ensuring real development results through better alignment of Danish development cooperation activities with Cambodia's national development priorities, and to ensuring the effectiveness in the use of Danish resources in the support of equitable. growth and accelerated poverty reduction. 3. The current focus of support provided by Denmark is concentrated on natural resource management and livelihoods; human rights and good governance; and private sector development. This clear focus demonstrates a commitment to providing assistance where both of our Governments feel that Denmark's support can have most impact. This shows a commitment to ensuring that development cooperation is effectively managed so that it can achieve real results. In this regard I believe that the profile of support provided by Denmark is consistent with the principles articulated in the Paris Declaration and, more recently, in the Accra Agenda for Action. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen 4. In today's discussions, we will have the opportunity to jointly review progress made in implementing Denmark-supported development cooperation projects/programs in Cambodia. I would also like to note the progress that has been made cannot be separated from the overall context of reform programs that the Royal Government has been implementing. in this spirit, the sessions 11 and III will serve as a preface to the review of progress of Danish development cooperation in session IV. The session 11 will provide an overview of macro- economic management, which has been a success laying the foundation for sustainable growth over the past years, and presentation on the government's approaches to aid effectiveness, which will help inform the priorities of the Royal Government to enhance the effectiveness of development cooperation assistance. The next session III will provide an enhanced and focused understanding of the main reform programmes that the government has been implementing. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen 5. Allow me to thank again the Danish delegations for their continued support and generous assistance to Cambodia. On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I can assure you that the Royal Government will make utmost effort to ensure that all resources will be used to maximum effect and in an accountable and transparent manner. My colleagues from the Royal Government who are responsible for implementing projects and programmes which are funded by your government will work hard to reach the goals identified in the Rectangular Strategy ─ Phase 11 and the National Strategic Development Plan ─ the NSDP - and to which your support is making an important contribution. 6. Finally, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to once again express my sincere appreciation for your valuable assistance and contribution to the development of Cambodia, To conclude my remarks, I can speak for all of my colleagues when I say that I am looking forward to a frank and fruitful discussion this morning and to a continued spirit of goodwill and mutual understanding in the relationship between our two countries. With these words I would like to officially open these Cambodia-Denmark High-Level Bilateral Consultations. Thank you all for your kind attention.
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