Phnom penh: Cambodia and Indonesia have pledged to bolster parliamentary cooperation to drive economic growth and regional stability, officials said Thursday, as bilateral trade between the Southeast Asian nations climbed past the US$1 billion mark. In a farewell meeting at the National Assembly Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary urged outgoing Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Santo Darmosumarto to continue championing the "people-to-people" links that serve as the foundation for the two countries' diplomatic relations.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Samdech Khuon Sudary emphasized the importance of connecting legislative bodies in expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, and education, which directly impact the well-being of citizens. Ambassador Darmosumarto acknowledged the robust economic momentum during his tenure, highlighting that two-way trade has now exceeded US$1 billion. He reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to increasing imports from Cambodia, boosting investment, and supporting the Kingdom's vital agricultural sector.
The envoy also noted the growing cultural synergy between the two nations, citing the establishment of an Indonesian alumni association for Cambodian graduates as a key platform for future collaboration. The meeting also addressed significant regional security issues, with Samdech Khuon Sudary expressing gratitude for Indonesia's historical role in peacekeeping, particularly the involvement of Indonesian military attach©s with the ASEAN Observer Team in monitoring the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Samdech Khuon Sudary lauded Indonesia's exemplary leadership in adhering to international norms and the ASEAN Charter, emphasizing Jakarta's respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states as the "core spirit" of the regional bloc. Reflecting on the border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, both officials underscored a shared commitment to peaceful resolutions, stressing that "in peace, all sides achieve victory."
The diplomatic exchange follows high-level visits in 2025 by Cambodia's Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet to Indonesia, signaling a sustained era of strategic partnership between the two ASEAN neighbors.