Cambodian government said Monday that the country needs strong protection to safeguards its cultural heritage and that it needs both bilateral and multiple cooperation, especially in the Asian region. Delivering speech at the opening of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on 'Protection and Respecting Cultural Diversity', Him Chhem, Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts said Cambodia is a small country, but it is rich in cultural and civilization in the Asian region. He said, 'Cambodia needs strong protection to safeguard her cultural heritage.' It is the third kind of such meeting since the Asian Parliamentary Assembly on Protecting and Respecting Cultural Diversity initiated in 2006. The first meeting was held in October 2008 in Seoul, South Korea and the second one was held in June 2009 in Tehran, the Islamic republic of Iran. The meeting is designed to further discuss how to better protect, respect and share the values of cultural heritage in general. Cambodia is proud of being rich in cultural heritage such as Angko Wat Temple, Preah Vihear Temple, both were registered as Word Heritage Sites and hundreds of more temples across the country as well as arts, culture and tradition. 