Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, arrived in Vientiane on Monday to attend the funeral of Hon. Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Samdech Khuon Sudary is visiting Laos as the High Representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party and President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia. She leads a high-level Cambodian parliamentary delegation.
According to the Cambodian National Assembly, upon arrival at Wattay International Airport, the Cambodian delegation was warmly welcomed by senior Lao officials. In the evening, H.E. Ms. Sounthone Xayyachak, First Vice-President of the Lao National Assembly, hosted a dinner in honour of Samdech Khuon Sudary and the Cambodian delegation.
During the gathering, H.E. Ms. Sounthone Xayyachak expressed appreciation for Samdech Khuon Sudary’s presence, describing the visit as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and encouragement to the Lao leadership and people during the period of national mourning.
She described the passing of Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane as a profound loss for Laos and future generations, paying tribute to his lifelong dedication to the country and its people.
For her part, Samdech Khuon Sudary expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr. Xaysomphone, saying his death was a great loss not only to the Lao people but also to the Cambodian people.
She recalled Dr. Xaysomphone as a highly respected statesman and trusted friend of Cambodia, highlighting his contributions to parliamentary cooperation, people-to-people ties and the inaugural Meeting of the Leaders of the Parliaments of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam in Vientiane.
Samdech Khuon Sudary described him as an important figure in trilateral parliamentary cooperation, whose vision and legacy would continue to inspire Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam to deepen their traditional friendship and strengthen their enduring comprehensive strategic partnership.
She conveyed the deepest condolences of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Cambodian leadership and the Cambodian people to the Lao leadership, people and the bereaved family, and offered prayers for the late leader’s soul to rest in eternal peace.
H.E. Ms. Sounthone Xayyachak also paid tribute to Dr. Xaysomphone as a role model for the Lao people and a driving force behind parliamentary cooperation between Laos and Cambodia.
“We will do our utmost to nurture and strengthen relations between our parties, governments, National Assemblies, and peoples. Dr. Xaysomphone was our role model and will continue to inspire us,” she said.
