VIENTIANE: Cambodia’s National Assembly President Khuon Sodary arrived in Laos on December 2 on the final stop of her first official trip abroad. The NA President stopped first in Vietnam, where she met with their parliamentary president, before heading to Laos to attend the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Parliamentary Summit (CLV) from December 4-7. She said that her time so far has felt like visiting family.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos were previously under French colonial rule and fought together for their independence, establishing a friendship that continues to this day. According to Khuon Sodary, her visit is meant to strengthen and expand the friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the National Assemblies to grow stronger and more comprehensive.

She met with Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane on the morning of December 3 in Vientiane, where she shared political, economic and social news. Her Lao counterpart congratulated Cambodia on its democratic process and reaffirmed its 2024 goal to connect infrastructure, railways and expressways with Cambodia. He also requested Cambodia’s National Assembly to promote and support the MOUs signed by the two countries in the past. He also thanked it for providing scholarships to Lao National Assembly officials in skills training on parliamentary work.

The Foreign Affairs Committees of both National Assemblies also met to discuss mutually beneficial topics.

That afternoon, Khuon Sodary met with Cambodian students in Laos and encouraged them to study hard, adhere to morality, and contribute to building and strengthening ties with the people of Laos.

According to Cambodia’s Ambassador to Laos, Hul Krang Phanang, there are 67 Cambodian students studying in Laos, 30 of whom are women. The students are studying literature, computer tech, architecture, and English. There are also 25 military trainees exchanged, including four police trainees.

The National Assembly President also visited the Museum of Contemporary Art and Weaving in Vientiane, noting that the museum not only shows the continued preservation and promotion of women's work, but also promotes the heritage and values of women who contribute to the economic, social and family income of the Lao people through tourism.