Cambodian ruling party hails achievements under its leadership

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) on Wednesday lauded achievements the country has made during the last 36 years under its leadership.

Speaking during the commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the Liberation Day, CPP's Honorary President and National Assembly President Heng Samrin said over the period of 36 years, Cambodia has witnessed many great changes from a country with scars of war and genocide to a land of rapid and sustainable development.

"Cambodia has become a land of peace, stability, national reconciliation, democracy and rule of law, whereby people reside in harmony. At the same time, the long lost national prestige has been proudly restored and raised once again on the international scene," he said during the event, which was attended by some 12, 000 party members, and foreign diplomats to Cambodia.

CPP's Vice-President and Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the commemoration.

Heng Samrin said the people of Cambodia have just passed the year 2014 with new achievements in all fields and are entering the year 2015 with firm optimism.

According to the preliminary evaluation, the country achieved an economic growth of 7 percent last year, driven by garments, tourism, agriculture and construction, he said, adding that the growth is expected within 7 percent this year.

The poverty rate has been reduced every year to below 18 percent in 2014 from 53 percent in a decade ago, he added.

"We can affirm with pride that the overall situation of Cambodia has improved, clearly reflecting firmer peace, stability, national reconciliation, democracy and rule of law, despite political complication for a while," he said.

Meanwhile, Heng Samrin called on the compatriots to stay united in order to continue developing the country to be one of the advanced nations in the region. Endi