Cambodia, France Aim to Deepen Parliamentary and People-to-People Ties

PARIS (Oct. 29, 2025) — Cambodia and France are working to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and expand people-to-people exchanges, National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary said during a meeting with French lawmaker Thomas Lam.

Samdech Sudary met with Lam, a member of the French National Assembly and president of the France–Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the Cambodian ambassador’s residence in Paris.

The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral ties through practical programs and deepening the friendship between the two nations.

She thanked Lam for taking time to exchange views and noted that Cambodia–France relations have flourished in recent years through reciprocal visits and goodwill between leaders.

She recalled the historical roots of the relationship, first fostered by the late King Norodom Sihanouk and strengthened under former Prime Minister Hun Sen, now being advanced by Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Samdech Sudary expressed confidence that French President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit to Cambodia in 2026, coinciding with the 20th Francophonie Summit, would further consolidate ties.

She urged the parliamentary friendship group to promote citizen-level engagement, citing growing interest among Cambodian youth in learning French and the popularity of French products such as pharmaceuticals.

She also encouraged French investors to view Cambodia not only as a market of 17 million people but as part of the broader ASEAN and RCEP regions.

Thomas voiced support for Samdech Khuon Sudary’s remarks and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation.

He congratulated Cambodia on hosting the upcoming Francophonie Summit and announced plans to lead a French parliamentary delegation to Cambodia in 2026 — a move welcomed by Samdech Sudary.

The two leaders also discussed regional peace efforts. Samdech Khuon Sudary expressed hope for the successful implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand Peace Agreement signed Oct. 26 and praised France’s hosting of the 8th Paris Peace Forum as a platform for global dialogue.