Phnom penh: Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, recently received a farewell courtesy call from H.E. Martin V¡vra, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Cambodia, at the National Assembly Palace. The meeting marked the conclusion of Ambassador V¡vra's diplomatic mandate in Cambodia.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Samdech Khuon Sudary expressed appreciation for Ambassador V¡vra's efforts and contributions, which have contributed to the steady development of relations between the two nations. She acknowledged the invaluable support provided by the Czech government and people since Cambodia's liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, particularly in the area of human resource development through scholarships offered to Cambodian students.
Ambassador V¡vra highlighted the progress in bilateral relations and expressed optimism about future exchanges and visits following the Czech elections this autumn. He noted the regular meetings between foreign ministers from both countries at various international events and emphasized the importance of planning for ongoing development aid to ensure continued cooperation.
Ambassador V¡vra also underscored the significance of recent political consultations and the upcoming visit of H.E. Sun Chantal to the Czech Republic in 2024 as part of an investment roadshow. As Cambodia's economy advances, he noted a shift in focus from development aid to stronger economic ties, while reaffirming that development aid, including scholarship programs, remains a cornerstone of cooperation.
Samdech praised the Czech Republic's decision to convert Cambodia's past debt into grant-based development assistance and called on other creditor nations to consider similar schemes. She recalled the 2019 visit of Samdech Techo Hun Sen to the Czech Republic, which advanced bilateral ties and resulted in agreements on cooperation in various sectors.
Regarding recent border tensions, Samdech voiced concern over the Thai armed forces' incursion into the Mom Bei area, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. She emphasized Cambodia's commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue and international law, advocating for peaceful solutions and multilateral cooperation to maintain regional stability.