Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, on Monday morning held a meeting with H.E. Mrs. Fiona Phillips, Chair of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport of the Australian House of Representatives, at the National Assembly Palace.
According to the National Assembly, during the meeting, Samdech Khuon Sudary said the visit of the Australian delegation marked a new chapter in Cambodia–Australia parliamentary relations and reflected the determination of both sides to strengthen bilateral ties. She noted that this year marks the 73rd anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in 1952 on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual benefit.
Samdech Khuon Sudary highlighted Australia’s enduring support for Cambodia, from its critical role in the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)—where more than 500 Australian personnel served under General John Sanderson—to its vital assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included an estimated AUD 50 million in health, technical, and economic support. “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” she said, recalling Australia’s solidarity at every stage of Cambodia’s peace and development journey.
She also thanked Australia for its concern and support during the recent border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand in late July, which forced civilians, especially women and children, to flee their homes and schools.
“We did not prepare for that war situation. We did not prepare for women to displace home and children to abandon schools. Cambodia is a small country, and we suffered from war for decades,” she stressed, noting that Cambodia seeks only peace so that all people can live free from fear.
Reaffirming Cambodia’s principles, Samdech Khuon Sudary said: “As an experience of war, peace is very meaningful, and we never want to have war or start a war again. We nurture the spirit of maintaining peace and democracy from the grassroots.” She emphasised that lasting peace and stability require effective monitoring and international engagement.
Samdech further underlined Cambodia’s steadfast adherence to the UN Charter and international law, adding that as a small country, Cambodia has always sought to live in harmony with its neighbours, upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence, good neighbourliness, and the ASEAN spirit, in order to normalise relations between Cambodia and Thailand for the benefit of both peoples.
For her part, H.E. Mrs. Fiona Phillips expressed her delight at visiting Cambodia and praised its rich cultural and historical heritage, including her visit to Siem Reap. She admired Cambodia’s resilience and development, highlighting infrastructure progress in Phnom Penh, particularly the new Techo International Airport, which has become popular with local communities.
She stressed that Cambodia and Australia share a strong bond of friendship, strengthened through cooperation in education, health care, women’s empowerment, and economic development. She commended the valuable role of Australian volunteers working with local communities and reaffirmed that peace and stability are the foundation of Cambodia’s growth.
Samdech Khuon Sudary also noted Cambodia’s growing role as a tourism destination, boosted by major infrastructure such as the newly opened Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh. She expressed hope that Cambodia and Australia could work together to establish a direct flight connection, which would further strengthen tourism facilitation, business exchanges, and people-to-people connections.
The NA President reaffirmed her strong belief that Cambodia and Australia, as long-standing partners, will continue to advance their parliamentary cooperation, strengthen bilateral relations, and jointly contribute to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
