Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 18 – National Assembly President Khuon Sudary received a courtesy call by the US Congressional delegation led by California Congressman Jimmy Panetta on 17 February 2025 at the National Assembly.
Khuon Sudary warmly welcomed Jimmy Panetta and the delegation to Cambodia and expressed her deep appreciation for the long-standing bilateral relations between Cambodia and the US, which have reached 75 years.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta and his delegation expressed their gratitude to President Khuon Sudary for the opportunity to meet. He shared insights from their recent visit to Cambodia, including a tour of the Cambodian Cultural Area in Siem Reap, meetings with the Minister of National Defence and the Ministry of Commerce, and productive discussions with Prime Minister Hun Manet. He underlined that the purpose of their visit was to further strengthen cooperation in parliamentary relations, trade, security, culture, and education.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta and his delegation highly valued the achievements resulting from strong Cambodia-US relations and acknowledged Cambodia’s important role in facilitating US-ASEAN relations. He further pledged to present an accurate portrayal of Cambodia to the US Congress and government, reinforcing the importance of continued engagement between the two nations.
On behalf of the National Assembly, Khuon Sudary expressed her gratitude for the US delegation’s visit. She noted that in 2024, Cambodia welcomed nine visits from US delegations across various sectors, highlighting that direct communication and in-person meetings are the most effective ways to enhance cooperation. She underlined that such exchanges lead to a clearer understanding of realities on the ground, fostering greater mutual trust and understanding.
She expressed optimism that this visit would mark a new chapter in strengthening and expanding friendship and cooperation between the two nations, including both legislative and executive bodies.
The National Assembly president underscored that the 75-year relationship between Cambodia and the US has been mutually beneficial. She expressed her gratitude to the US government for returning approximately 150 artifacts that Cambodia lost during the war. At the same time, she reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to regional leadership in cooperating with the US to locate and repatriate the remains of American soldiers who lost their lives during the Indochina War.
During the friendly and open discussion, both sides shared and exchanged views on the important role of Parliament as an institution representing the people.
Sudary also highlighted that the 7th National Assembly of Cambodia was established through the July 2023 elections, which she described as historic, with over 84 per cent voter turnout. She noted that 82 per cent of voters supported the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Currently, the National Assembly consists of two parties holding seats.
She further added that the National Assembly of Cambodia operates with a clear mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights, including a dedicated Human Rights Commission responsible for receiving complaints, conducting investigations, and overseeing inspections. She pointed out that, unlike in some other countries where human rights issues fall under the Foreign Affairs Committee, Cambodia has a specialised committee focused on this field.
Additionally, Khuon Sudary asserted that human rights and democracy cannot be imposed or exported from one country to another. Instead, they must develop organically within a nation, taking into account its national context, history, social values, cultural traditions, and political system.
Both sides expressed their strong commitment to further strengthening and expanding Cambodia-US cooperation in various fields, including parliamentary relations, trade, economy, security, and humanitarian initiatives.
=FRESH NEWS
