AKP Phnom Penh, July 07, 2025 --

Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received here on July 7 a farewell courtesy call from H.E. Martin Vávra, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Cambodia, at the National Assembly Palace on Monday.

In the meeting, Samdech Khuon Sudary expressed deep appreciation for Ambassador Vávra’s efforts and achievements during his diplomatic mandate in Cambodia, which fostered steady development of bilateral relations between the two legislatures and countries, especially through people-to-people ties and practical initiatives delivering mutual benefits.

Samdech conveyed profound gratitude for the invaluable support provided by the Czech government and people since Cambodia’s liberation from the Khmer Rouge on 7 January 1979, recognising this assistance as priceless during the country’s most difficult times.

She highlighted the Czech Republic’s contributions to Cambodia’s human resource development by offering scholarships to around 400 Cambodian students, significantly strengthening ties and capacity-building efforts.

In response, Ambassador Vávra acknowledged the significant progress in bilateral relations across various areas and expressed optimism that following the Czech elections this autumn, opportunities for future exchanges and visits would emerge.

He noted that foreign ministers from both countries regularly met on the sidelines of major EU and Pacific events, maintaining consistent dialogue. He emphasised that planning for ongoing development aid was underway to ensure continued cooperation in the years ahead.

Ambassador Vávra underscored the importance of recent productive political consultations in Cambodia and the visit of H.E. Sun Chantal to the Czech Republic in 2024 as part of an investment roadshow, which he said was vital for Cambodia’s efforts to enhance its international ratings.

He stated that as Cambodia’s economic status continues to elevated, the focus will naturally shift from development aid toward stronger standard economic relations. He emphasised that building on this momentum and deepening these ties would be an important task for his successor.

He reaffirmed that development aid remains a cornerstone of cooperation, including scholarship programmes, with several Cambodian students recently departing to study in the Czech Republic.

He expressed confidence that cooperation would evolve into more versatile partnerships beyond traditional aid and highlighted the importance of promoting tourism and increasing people-to-people exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship.

Samdech praised the Czech Republic’s decision to convert Cambodia’s past debt into grant-based development assistance, which has made invaluable contributions to Cambodia’s progress, and called on other creditor nations to consider similar debt-conversion schemes.

She recalled that the official visit of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, then Prime Minister and now President of the Senate, to the Czech Republic in 2019 played a key role in advancing bilateral ties, resulting in agreements on cooperation in health, trade, and diplomatic training that strengthened mutual trust and expanded people-to-people exchanges.

Samdech reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue and respect for international law, emphasising the country’s neutral policy of seeking peace, friendship, and cooperation with all nations.

Regarding recent border tensions, Samdech voiced serious concern over the Thai armed forces’ incursion into the Mom Bei area on May 28, which resulted in the tragic death of a Cambodian soldier.

She noted that despite existing treaties and mechanisms, Thailand’s continued provocations highlight the limitations of current efforts to resolve the longstanding border dispute.

Samdech stressed Cambodia’s determination to pursue peaceful solutions, including through the International Court of Justice, firmly believing that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, impartiality, and adherence to international law.

She called on all parties to act responsibly and seek multilateral solutions in line with international norms to maintain regional peace and stability.

By Chea Vannak