Inspection minister Huot Hak (right) shakes hands with Turkish ambassador Ulku Kocaefe during their meeting on inspection cooperation on December 26. Inspection Ministry
Cambodia and Turkiye have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the inspection sector, focusing on exchanging expertise and the capacity building of officials.
Supported by the Turkish embassy, the Ministry of Inspection’s initiative aims to boost governance and modernise public administration and state institutions, aligning with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy.
The agreement was reached during a December 27 working meeting between inspection minister Huot Hak and Turkish ambassador Ulku Kocaefe, according to a ministry press release.
It said that Hak highlighted the progress made in the relationship between the two nations since 1959, with Turkiye providing consistent support and cooperation in areas such as education, trade, tourism and health.
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“The political situation in Cambodia is favourable in all aspects, including politics, society and economy, which creates a conducive environment for societal development and attracts foreign direct investment [FDI],” Hak told the ambassador.
He reiterated the government’s objective to strengthen governance and modernise state institutions into highly competent, intelligent and clean public administrations.
He added that the government intends to further enhance institutional capacity, develop human resources, prepare laws and regulations and maintain a harmonious environment across ministries and subordinate units at both national and sub-national levels, with the ministry at the helm of administration.
Kocaefe expressed her gratitude for the meeting, which provided her with an understanding of the ministry’s mission and action plan for the new mandate.
She acknowledged the similarity between Turkiye’s Ombudsman and Cambodia’s inspection ministry.
According to the press release, both parties have agreed to bolster bilateral cooperation in the sector through the linkage between the ministry and Turkiye’s counterpart body, including forming a working group to explore cooperation possibilities, organising visits for exchange studies and experience and offering capacity building and scholarships for Cambodian inspection officials.
Kocaefe also reiterated her readiness to support the ministry’s mission.
Hak stated that he was particularly interested in Turkiye’s approach to handling and resolving complaints online, noting that the Turkish agency receives about 60,000 complaints per month.
“The Cambodian inspection ministry also receives and investigates these complaints, so we need to learn more from the Turkish side,” he added.
Pech Pisey, executive director of Transparency International (TI) Cambodia, stated that learning from other countries in the field of inspection is beneficial, as it constitutes an important national strategic task to ensure the monitoring of the implementation of public institutions.
“There are three aspects that Cambodia needs to address regarding the inspection sector: firstly, the sector must function independently, free from the influence of politics and authorities; secondly, the institutional budget must be autonomous; and thirdly, it must operate with integrity, devoid of corruption,” he said.
Pisey suggested that the Kingdom should seek insights from other countries within the EU, such as France, known for their experience in these matters.
