President of Cambodia’s National Assembly Heng Samrin (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – President of Cambodia’s National Assembly Heng Samrin highlighted regional and international cooperation and solidarity for common interests and benefits amid challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic at the virtual 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) on September 8.

Stressing that the pandemic has been actively controlled in ASEAN in a timely manner, the chief legislator said: “While our region is struggling to recover from this crisis, we need to further deepen our regional integration to facilitate the flow of goods, services and people. So far ASEAN has managed to maintain its supply chain of goods in response to the essential needs during this critical period.”

He also took the occasion to share Cambodia’s development strategy based on its comparative and competitive advantages, saying that the Cambodian Government is introducing a more people-centered development strategy by prioritising and focusing on agriculture and agro-industry, digital transformation, and domestic tourism.

“The Cambodian Parliament upholds the continuous efforts of ASEAN, focusing on maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes based on the principles of international law and diplomacy and avoiding the use of force,” he stated.

Heng Samrin noted the Cambodian Parliament backs young AIPA parliamentarians’ participation in all AIPA meetings and those with ASEAN youth. “Young people play significant roles in both national development and in building the ASEAN Community to maintain its prosperous momentum,” he said.

The AIPA 41, themed “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community”, runs from September 8 to 10.

This is the third time Vietnam has undertaken the role of AIPA Chair and hosted the General Assembly of AIPA. This event, held online for the first time, affirms the Vietnamese National Assembly’s flexibility, responsibility and determination to successfully assume the role of AIPA Chair this year./.