First of all, on behalf of the Cambodian National Assembly delegation and the Cambodian-Cuban Parliamentary Friendship Group, I am very honored and pleased and thank the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples for inviting me to participate in this important virtual meeting and share my personal views related to our subject of commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Cambodian People's Party and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Cuban-Cambodian Friendship Association.
On this auspicious occasion, I would like to convey warm regard from Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia to His Excellency the President of the National Assembly of the People's Power of the Republic of Cuba and the people of Cuba.
Cambodia and Cuba established diplomatic relations on April 15, 1960, leading to the establishment of the Cuban Embassy in Cambodia in 1967, and 2021 is be the 61st anniversary of the diplomatic relations between our two countries. The bonds of friendship, full of cooperation, mutual assistance and support between Cambodia and Cuba, is a precious legacy left by the former historical leaders of the two countries, the King Norodom Sihanouk and His Excellency Commander-in-Chief FIDEL CASTRO RUZ, both leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement and their ideas of building progress, peace, and justice contributed to mutual respect and admiration. Later, despite the difficult circumstances and the geographical distance, our two countries have always maintained this close relationship, especially during the period when Cambodia had just liberated itself from the genocidal regime and rebuilt the country from scratch, Cuba was one of the few good countries that had zealously helped Cambodia in unforgettable historical times.
In 1999, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, held a historic meeting with His Excellency FIDEL CASTRO RUZ for more than 10 hours and received the JOSE MARTI ORDER, Medal of Honor, from a friendly Cuba. This is a symbol of mutual respect and the strengthening of better diplomatic relations.
As for the legislature, since the visit of Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, the President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to the Republic of Cuba in 2010, the National Assembly of Cambodia and the National Assembly of the Cuban People's Power have strengthened and expanded the ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries. Moreover, the Parliamentary relations between Cambodia and Cuba have been more friendly and cooperative through exchanges of visits and mutual support in the international arena. The Cambodia-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group is very dynamic and I am very proud to have played such a glorious role as the chair of the Cambodia-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group in contributing to the promotion of good relations between the two parliaments, countries and people.
June 28, 2021 was recently the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Cambodian People's Party, formerly known as the Khmer Revolutionary People's Party, originating from the patriotic movement of the Cambodian people against the colonists for national independence.
As the party belonging to the people, depending on the people and working for the people, the party adheres to its purpose and ideal: to stand by the people, to unite and share happiness and sadness with the people in all circumstances, to overcome all obstacles, and to dare to willingly make sacrifices for Cambodia of independence, peace, freedom, democracy, neutrality and social progress. The party led the people to fight valiantly to liberate the country from foreign aggression and to overthrow the genocidal regime of Pol Pot in order to save the nation in time, which completely ended the darkest period of Cambodia and began a new chapter of the reconstruction of the territory of the Cambodian people on the path of peace, national unity, democracy and development.
On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the creation of the Cuban-Cambodian Friendship Association, I am proud to see the Cuban people's commitment to struggle for independence and self-determination. There is nothing more precious than independence and freedom. On behalf of the National Assembly and on behalf of the Cambodian People's Party, I would like to support Cuba, a friend, in all circumstances, both regionally and globally. Our two countries have the same purpose and strong wills to stand shoulder to shoulder in our joint struggle against imperialism, unilateralism and double standards.
The video conference between the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) and the Cambodia-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group will now contribute to further strengthening the traditional friendship, solidarity and cooperation between our two countries, especially between our two legislatures and the two parliamentary friendship groups.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
We firmly believe that under the wise leadership of the party, with His Excellency Raul Castro, His Excellency Minguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of Cuba and His Excellency Esteban Lazo Hemandez, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, the Cuban people will realize new achievements in the development of a more prosperous country and the people have the rights to decide their own destiny.
I would like to request the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power, through the Cambodian Parliamentary Friendship Group, to help to push the Cuban government to increase more investments, continue to provide scholarships to Cambodian students to study health and other fields that the Cuba used to offer, and encourage Cuban investors to invest in healthcare sector in Cambodia, as Cuba is one of the countries with best health care system in the region and in the world.
Once again, on behalf of the leadership of the National Assembly and the Cambodian People's Party, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Party, the Government and the people of Cuba for their support, both spiritual and material, to our Cambodian people at all stages. In particular, the Cuban friend helped Cambodia during the period when Cambodia was economically sanctioned by the colonial imperialists.
Finally, I would like to wish the traditional friendship, solidarity and cooperation between our two countries, Cambodia and Cuba, to be strong and lasting, and I wish Your Excellency good health and success in your mission to serve the nation.