AKP Phnom Penh, October 31, 2025 --

The President of Cambodia’s National Assembly, Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, met with the President of the France-Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group on Oct. 30, urging enhanced cooperation in people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and investment.

During the meeting at the Cambodian Ambassador’s residence in Paris, Samdech Khuon Sudary and H.E. Thomas Lam, a Member of the French Parliament, discussed strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between their two legislative bodies.

The National Assembly President highlighted the significant progress in Cambodia-France relations, noting the frequent high-level exchanges and shared understanding between the nations' leaders. She traced the relationship's deep roots back to the era of His Majesty the late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, emphasising its continued strengthening under successive Cambodian governments.

She identified the upcoming official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Cambodia in 2026 for the 20th Francophonie Summit as a key milestone for the bilateral partnership.

Samdech Khuon Sudary called on the Friendship Group to play a more active role in bridging the two peoples. She pointed to growing French language studies in Cambodia and a sustained demand for high-quality French goods, such as pharmaceuticals, as solid foundations for deeper engagement.

She also issued a direct appeal to French businesses, encouraging them to leverage Cambodia's dynamic economy. She advised investors to view the country not just as a market of 17 million people, but as a strategic gateway to the entire ASEAN region and the vast Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In response, H.E. Thomas Lam commended Samdech Khuon Sudary’s leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing parliamentary cooperation. He congratulated Cambodia on its forthcoming hosting of the Francophonie Summit.

To further this goal, H.E. Lam announced plans to lead a French parliamentary delegation on a visit to Cambodia in 2026—a proposal warmly welcomed by Samdech Khuon Sudary.

The leaders also touched on regional stability. The National Assembly President expressed hope for the effective implementation of the recent Cambodia-Thailand Peace Deal, signed on Oct. 26, to ensure long-term peace. 

She also praised France’s 8th Paris Peace Forum as a vital platform for international dialogue.

By K. Rithy Reak