PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen said that no matter who becomes president of Timor-Leste, relations between Cambodia and the island nation will remain strong.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for students of three schools of agriculture at the Koh Pich Exhibition Center on the morning of May 16, 2023, he said, "There is an [upcoming] election that could change the president [of Timor-Leste]," he said. He went on to stress that developing countries have a strong bond based on mutual understanding.

During a meeting between the heads of state of both countries during the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia last week, the PM Hun Sen agreed to send Cambodian agricultural technicians to help Timor-Leste in exchange for investment in rice mills meant to encourage trade between the countries. Timor-Leste’s parliamentary elections will be held next week on May 21, 2023.