Phnom Penh, 6 February, 2025 — Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly, met Thursday with H.E. Ms. Marta Matrai, First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary.

During the meeting, Samdech stressed the importance of bilateral ties and the traditional friendship between the two countries and peoples.

“Hungary is a good, trustworthy friend of Cambodia,” she said. “Hungary used to support Cambodia during difficult times after liberating the country from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.”  

Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Samdech expressed gratitude to the people and government of Hungary for supporting peace and nation building in Cambodia.

“We have frequent exchanges of visits at different levels to cement ties,” she said. “Our relationship is resilient and growing.”

Samdech highlighted the importance of connecting the Mekong and Danube regions, and promoting trade and investment between Asia and Europe.

The National Assembly President also recalled that Hungary sent a high-level delegation to attend the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in Phnom Penh last year and contributed to developing the Universal Peace Charter as a non-binding and living document aiming to promote peace through dialogue and reconciliation.

The First Deputy Speaker said parliamentary diplomacy played an increasingly important role and that the establishment of friendship groups between the two parliaments further cements ties.

She said the upcoming visit of Samdech Sudary to Hungary and the future establishment of a Cambodian embassy in Hungary would mark new milestones in relations.

“Trade, agriculture, education and climate change are key areas of cooperation,” she said, noting that Hungary provides 30 scholarships annually to Cambodia.

“Mutual respect is crucial,” the First Deputy Speaker said. “Our development is based on our national contexts.”

During the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiation to achieve peace and that ending the war in Ukraine is urgent.

“As mothers, we do not want our children to fight in a war,” the First Deputy Speaker.

Both sides shared the views that democracy must be developed from within, based on national contexts.