AKP Phnom Penh, July 17, 2025 --

Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly (NA) of the Kingdom of Cambodia, thanked France’s valuable contributions to the development of Cambodia, particularly in capacity building and the digital transformation of the “E-parliament” project.

According to the NA, Samdech Khuon Sudary made the appreciation while receiving a farewell courtesy call from H.E. Jacques Pellet, Ambassador of the French Republic to Cambodia, at the NA Palace this morning.

During the meeting, the NA president expressed appreciation for the longstanding friendship between Cambodia and France, and underscored the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting multilateralism and regional peace.

She thanked Ambassador Jacques Pellet for facilitating high-level political engagement, including two visits to France by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate.

Samdech also recalled the June 2025 meeting between Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and President Emmanuel Macron during the UNOC3 Conference in Nice, where both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership” in the near future.

Samdech confirmed her upcoming meeting with H.E. Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, on the sidelines of the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament and the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, aiming to strengthen parliamentary friendship and inter-parliamentary dialogue.

During the meeting, Samdech Khuon Sudary briefed the Ambassador on recent border tensions with Thailand, including the armed incursion in the Mom Bei area on May 28, 2025, which resulted in casualties.

She appealed for France’s support in encouraging Thailand to resume peaceful dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the 1904 and 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaties, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, and existing joint mechanisms.

Recognising the limitations of bilateral efforts, Cambodia has submitted a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding four disputed areas—Mom Bei area, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei Temples—reaffirming its commitment to peaceful dispute resolution based on international law.

For his part, H.E. Jacques Pellet reflected on his 30-year diplomatic career, including multiple postings in Cambodia, and expressed admiration for Cambodia’s remarkable progress in peace, development, and human capital. He also commended joint efforts in training Cambodian doctors, expanding legal and economic education, and supporting Calmette Hospital, where he served as a board member.

Ambassador Pellet emphasised the importance of cultural collaboration, particularly the restoration and exhibition of a 1,000-year-old reclining Vishnu statue at the Guimet Museum in Paris, and reiterated France’s continued commitment to heritage preservation and museum development in Cambodia.

The Ambassador was honored to receive a prestigious royal decoration from the Royal Government of Cambodia in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties. He added that he would become the first French ambassador invited to deliver a public lecture following the end of his official duties.

He also announced ongoing preparations for a potential state visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Cambodia in 2026, which would coincide with Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit in Siem Reap. He further discussed the prospects for continued French technical support across key sectors.

The Ambassador invited Samdech Khuon Sudary to attend the Paris Peace Forum in late October 2025 and informed her that a new envoy is expected to arrive in mid-August.

Both sides expressed confidence in the continued momentum of Cambodia-France relations, with new cooperative initiatives set for September, reaffirming their shared goal of elevating bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership by 2026.

By L Vy