Doha (FN), Dec. 11 – Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen and the Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim announced their joint efforts to contribute to global peace.
Samdech Techo held bilateral talks with Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim on 10 December 2024 in Doha, Qatar.
The speaker of the Shura Council warmly welcomed the visit of Samdech Techo and his delegation to Qatar. He remarked that Samdech Techo's visit would promote parliamentary relations and cooperation across multiple sectors between the two nations.
He noted that while the Qatari parliament maintains strong ties with the parliaments of many friendly countries, its connections with Asian parliaments remain limited. He proposed a parliamentary summit to enhance these relations and expressed his willingness to collaborate with Samdech Techo on this initiative. He highlighted Qatar’s significant role in the region and internationally, particularly in facilitating solutions to conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, and Afghanistan.
The Qatari parliamentary speaker commended Cambodia’s neutral stance on the Palestinian issue. He noted Qatar’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire, emphasising that parliaments advocating for peace should unite in this cause.
For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the Speaker of the Shura Council for the warm invitation and hospitality. He expressed appreciation for the discussion on Cambodia-Qatar bilateral relations and the role of national assemblies in addressing regional and global challenges. Samdech Techo remarked that his visit to Qatar would bolster cooperation between the legislatures, governments, and trade sectors of both countries.
Samdech Techo stressed the importance of establishing agreements for investment and trade protection between Cambodia and Qatar, highlighting Qatar’s energy security and Cambodia’s food security, he encouraged Qatari investors to consider Cambodia. He also called for increased bilateral consultations between the two nations' Ministries of Foreign Affairs, given the current global complexities.
The Cambodian Senate president acknowledged and praised Qatar’s international contributions, such as its role in the Doha Round of world trade negotiations. He noted that Cambodia and Qatar share similar positions on international and regional issues. Despite being small nations, he argued that both countries should contribute to resolving global challenges. Cambodia, for instance, actively participates in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions in 10 countries.
Regarding international parliamentary cooperation, Samdech Techo mentioned that Cambodia recently hosted the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP). He also referred to the adoption of the Universal Peace Charter (UPC), which is open to other parliaments.
Samdech Techo suggested that Qatar’s Speaker of the Shura Council could initiate an Asian Parliamentary Assembly, with Cambodia eager to participate. Samdech Techo added that the National Assembly’s voice, although modest, could still support the Royal Government’s efforts at the United Nations.
On this occasion, Samdech Techo invited the Speaker of the Shura Council to visit Cambodia in the near future.
The Qatari Speaker acknowledged the importance of the Global Peace Charter in fostering parliamentary cooperation and promoting peace. He affirmed his commitment to working alongside Cambodia in the pursuit of global peace and the prevention of war.
During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on regional developments. The Speaker of the Shura Council graciously accepted Samdech Techo’s invitation to visit Cambodia at any appropriate time.
=FRESH NEWS
