Over 4,000 people in Cambodia cycle to mark Europe Day

More than 4,000 people in Cambodia cycled here on Saturday to celebrate the Europe Day and to increase awareness of green environment.

The event was organized by the European Union (EU) in Cambodia in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the Phnom Penh Municipality.

EU's Ambassador to Cambodia George Edgar said it was the fourth edition that the EU hosted such an event in Cambodia to raise awareness of the EU and its activities in Cambodia.

"The first purpose of the cycling tour through Phnom Penh is just to celebrate the presence of the European Union in Cambodia," he said. "Also, because cycling is a very green means of transport, it's a good chance to think about some issues to do with the environment."

Departing from the Olympic Stadium, the participants cycled past all the embassies of the European member states in Phnom Penh before heading back to the stadium in a total distance of about 15 kilometers.

A female-cyclist Sou Lan, 27, said, "It is a pleasant event and is the first time I join the event; I hope that this event will encourage more people to cycle for green environment and their health."

Europe Day -- May 9 -- is celebrated every year in Europe and throughout the world in remembrance of the historical speech of Minister Robert Schuman in 1950, which triggered the European Union's construction. Endit