PHNOM PENH - Cambodia is changing its ambassador to the Philippines, in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic row over his criticism of Hanoi and Manila in the wake of failed Asean security talks over the South China Sea last month.
The ambassador, Hos Sereythohn, told a newspaper in the Philippines last month that Vietnam and the Philippines had “sabotaged” the talks. The Philippines’ foreign ministry then called for the ambassador to appear to explain his remarks, though he failed to appear.
“It is the prerogative of governments to appoint or to recall ambassadors as they deem fit and appropriate,” Raul Hernandez, a spokesman for the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affair, told VOA Khmer in an e-mail Friday. A new ambassador will now be appointed, he said.
Cambodian Foreign Affairs officials could not be reached for comment.
The ambassador, Hos Sereythohn, told a newspaper in the Philippines last month that Vietnam and the Philippines had “sabotaged” the talks. The Philippines’ foreign ministry then called for the ambassador to appear to explain his remarks, though he failed to appear.
“It is the prerogative of governments to appoint or to recall ambassadors as they deem fit and appropriate,” Raul Hernandez, a spokesman for the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affair, told VOA Khmer in an e-mail Friday. A new ambassador will now be appointed, he said.
Cambodian Foreign Affairs officials could not be reached for comment.
