Peace through reconciliation: Mere CPP political propaganda?

Asian politicians adopt Angkor Initiative for Stability, Peace and Prosperity in Asia

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The two-day international seminar on "social market economy", which was joined by the representatives of Asian political parties, ended Friday with the adoption of the "Angkor Initiative for Stability, Peace and Prosperity, a Centrist Model for Asia."

The two-day seminar, co-chaired by Cambodia and Pakistan, were attended by the 16 representatives of the Asian political parties and top political figures of the ruling parties from Asia including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines.

This Angkor Initiative covered three components: economy, politics, and peace through reconciliation in post-conflict situation, according to the Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office of the Council of Ministers.

"This Initiative has particular relevance for Northeast Asia, Southwest Asia and Southeast Asia, which remain mired in internecine conflicts and tension," said the joint statement signed by the Co-chairmen of the International seminar and CDI (the Centrist Democrat International) -Asia Pacific Secretariat.

Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Member of the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People's Party and also Vice-President of CDI- Asia Pacific since 2006, said "social market economy is an emerging economic system in Asia widely embraced by prominent political figures."

"This presents a middle path for the future promotion of stability and prosperity since the social market economy connects with the society as a whole and aimed at promoting the well-being of all individuals," Sok An, also minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, said at the closing seminar.

"We have learned from the bitter lessons of the current global economic crisis. Its negative impact on the global economy and society will linger on for many years to come," he said.

"It is crucial for all leaders of Asian political parties to seek to better understand and consider the endorsement of the 'social market economy' concept, which has been widely discussed," said Sok An.

The Angkor Initiative agreed to establish a working group, which will implement this vision, prepares an agenda and plan of action for a CDI conference of all continents which will convene in Cambodia in July, 2010 to endorse, promote and implement this Initiative.

The two-day seminar focused on exchanging views and experiences on social market economy to find a suitable policy, which could be applied for their own national strategy.