Thousands of people in Cambodia cycle to celebrate Europe Day

Thousands of people in Cambodia cycled on Sunday to mark the Europe Day and to raise awareness of green environment.

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

Jean-Francois Cautain, Ambassador of the EU to Cambodia, said it was the third edition that the EU hosted such an event in Phnom Penh in order to raise awareness of the EU and its activities in Cambodia.

"The event under the theme 'Cycle for the Climate' is also to raise awareness about the importance of fighting climate change," he said, estimating that between 4,000 and 5,000 cyclists, mostly young Cambodians, took part in the event.

Departing from the Olympic Stadium, the participants cycled past all embassies of the European member states in Phnom Penh.

"The event is not only to raise awareness about the EU, but also to promote affection for sports and environment," said Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Hang Chuon Naron, who was one of the cyclists.

The cycling was part of a series of the EU Week events in Cambodia, starting from May 4 to 10 to celebrate the Europe Day.

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.