Phnom Penh (FN), Sept. 18 - National Assembly spokesman Chheang Vun said Tuesday that the European Parliament's discussion on the withdrawal of Cambodia’s “Everything but Arms” scheme was not based on poor democracy and human rights in Cambodia; it was just the excuse for Italy, who lost the rice market in Europe due to exported Cambodian rice to EU market.

According to the spokesman, the withdrawal of Cambodia’s EBA scheme was proposed by former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini who wished to secure Italian rice market in Europe by urging the EU to remove preferences from Cambodia.

Chheang Vun recalled that Italy was a major rice supplier to Europe, but then the EU preferred Cambodian rice, as the imported Cambodian rice was three times cheaper compared Italian rice.

The spokesman said that Federica’s initiative serves as vengeance against Cambodia, and that democracy and human rights in Cambodia did not have any concerns.

He also called opposition Sam Rainsy's group treacherous for urging the EU to eliminate the preferential tariffs on Cambodian goods, as the urge brought about interests for Italians but sufferings for Cambodian people.
=FRESH NEWS