(Phnom Penh): Cambodian President of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary held a cordial bilateral meeting with Hon. Madam Maria Fernanda Lay, Speaker of the National Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on 15 July 2025 at the National Assembly Palace.
During the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 16th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus, President Khuon Sudary welcomed the speaker and her delegation, stating that the bilateral engagement reflected both countries’ shared commitment to advancing parliamentary diplomacy and promoting regional peace and solidarity.
Samdech Khuon Sudary highlighted the development of Cambodia–Timor-Leste relations since their establishment in 2002. She said high-level visits and ongoing bilateral cooperation have contributed to stronger mutual understanding and shared development goals.
She recalled recent exchanges, including the 2025 visit by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, to Timor-Leste, and the 2022 visit of Hon. José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste, to Cambodia. These visits laid important groundwork for deeper engagement.
Both sides can further enhance cooperation in areas such as food and energy security. In 2024, Cambodia exported 4,000 tons of rice to Timor-Leste, while Timor-Leste holds great potential in the energy sector.
Peace and development were central to the meeting. Samdech Khuon Sudary stated that Cambodia’s post-conflict achievements were made possible by long-term peace and international cooperation. Samdech emphasised that peace remained a national priority and a foundation for sustainable progress.
Cambodia fully supports Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. We endorsed Timor-Leste’s membership during our AIPA presidency in 2022, and I am confident that Timor-Leste will become ASEAN’s 11th member by the end of 2025, followed by full membership in AIPA.
For her part, Maria Fernanda Lay expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Cambodian side. She praised Cambodia’s post-conflict recovery and development and underscored the importance of cooperation among smaller nations in maintaining regional peace and improving livelihoods.
Both sides discussed the importance of mutual respect, cultural understanding, and people-centred development. Samdech Khuon Sudary said democracy should develop according to each country’s unique context, and that elections and inclusiveness were key to Cambodia’s democratic evolution.
On trade and cooperation, Samdech Khuon Sudary proposed expediting a bilateral trade agreement, strengthening parliamentary commission exchanges, and encouraging cooperation in administration and security. She also reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to offering 10 annual scholarships to Timorese students through 2028.
Tourism and connectivity were also highlighted. The Cambodian President suggested exploring direct flights between the two countries to promote tourism and enhance ties between the two peoples.
On regional issues, Samdech Khuon Sudary expressed regret over Thailand’s unilateral closure of border crossings with Cambodia, noting the move had strained bilateral ties and disrupted the livelihoods of communities on both sides. She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to a peaceful resolution through bilateral dialogue based on existing mechanisms and international legal frameworks.
The meeting concluded with an invitation from Samdech Khuon Sudary for the Timorese Speaker to attend the upcoming Global Conference of Women Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. She emphasized gender equality and the importance of women’s leadership in strengthening families, societies, and nations.
Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to advancing bilateral relations and working together to promote peace, cooperation, and inclusive development in the region.
=FRESH NEWS
