Phnom penh: High-ranking parliamentary officials from Cambodia and Trkiye convened today to reaffirm their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 16th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus, hosted by Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Vong Sauth, Second Vice President of the National Assembly of Cambodia and President of the Cambodia-Trkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group, warmly welcomed H.E. Osman Saglam, a Member of Parliament and Head of the Turkish Parliamentary Delegation to AIPA. Speaking on behalf of the President of the National Assembly, Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, H.E. Vong Sauth expressed appreciation for Trkiye's participation in the AIPA Caucus, noting it as a symbol of deepening ties between the two nations.
He emphasized his honour in serving the National Assembly during its 7th legislature and recalled leading a Cambodian parliamentary delegation to the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) meetings in 2023. During these meetings, he met with H.E. Numan Kurtulmus, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Trkiye, to further solidify bilateral relations.
H.E. Vong Sauth highlighted the consistent growth in Cambodia-Trkiye relations, underscoring the numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding signed across various sectors. He also mentioned the mutual support both countries provide each other in international forums, operating under both legislative and executive frameworks.
In response, H.E. Osman Saglam expressed gratitude for the Cambodian National Assembly's hospitality and reiterated Trkiye's dedication to fostering robust bilateral relations. He pointed to the frequency of high-level visits and the shared commitment to boosting economic and trade cooperation as evidence of the strong bond between the two nations. He expressed optimism that bilateral trade volume would soon reach US$1 billion.
H.E. Osman Saglam further emphasized that enhanced collaboration between the two legislative bodies, both bilaterally and within the AIPA framework, would contribute to stronger overall relations. He highlighted Trkiye's cultural centre in Cambodia, established to promote cooperation in education and cultural diplomacy, and the Turkish Maarif Foundation, which is expected to further reinforce bilateral ties. He sought Cambodia's continued support for these initiatives.
In closing, H.E. Vong Sauth extended his gratitude to the Government of Trkiye for its ongoing support and development assistance to Cambodia. He specifically cited contributions in fields such as education, healthcare, flood relief, demining, and housing for the underprivileged, provided through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) since 2009.