PHNOM PENH: Vice-President of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and National Assembly President Khuon Sodary met with the Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee to strengthen cooperation.

On December 13, Khuon Sodary met with former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea and ICAPP Chairman Chung Eui-yong to strengthen and deepen the cooperation between the National Assembly of Cambodia and the ICAPP to contribute to the promotion of peace, and stability, as well as the expansion of humanitarian activities for the people of Cambodia and in the region.

During the meeting, the National Assembly President extended a warm welcome to Chung Eui-yong and his delegation and thanked the ICAPP for always supporting the democratic process in Cambodia by sending delegations to observe the national election and commune elections in Cambodia since 2013, including this year’s general election.

The National Assembly President emphasized that the presence and statement of the ICAPP on the reality of democracy in Cambodia is a useful contribution to the protection of the legitimacy and sovereignty of Cambodia's elections. She praised ICAPP's mission to promote peace and humanitarianism in the past, achieving a partnership with UNESCO, the Council of African Political Parties, the Centrist Asia-Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) and many other partner organizations.

Khuon Sodary requested that ICAPP further cooperate with other inter-parliamentary forums, such as AIPA, APPF, APF, for a closer connection that can stand up in the face of global uncertainty, geopolitical struggles, climate change and pandemics. She believes that strengthening these relations will contribute to building peace, security and social stability for the people.

Chung Eui-yong congratulated the National Assembly President on her new position and for being the first woman to lead Cambodia’s National Assembly. He reaffirmed his organization’s stance on the democratic nature of Cambodia’s general election in July and said that the peaceful transfer of power from former Prime Minister Hun Sen to his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, is proof of Cambodia’s political maturity. He also thanked the former PM for his contribution to ICAPP from its inception in 2000. He wished Cambodia luck and success in hosting the 12th ICAPP General Assembly in November 2024.