Phnom penh: Cambodian Senate First Vice President H.E. Ouch Borith engaged in bilateral discussions with parliamentary leaders from Trkiye and Hungary during the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, aiming to strengthen legislative collaboration and economic ties.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in his meeting with H.E. Numan Kurtulmus, Speaker of Trkiye's Grand National Assembly, the focus was on the significance of parliamentary friendship groups in maintaining diplomatic relations. They deliberated on the role of Turkish Airlines' direct flights to Phnom Penh in boosting trade and tourism, along with enhancing cultural exchanges through the Yunus Emre Cultural Centre and increasing scholarships for Cambodian students. Additionally, H.E. Borith extended an invitation to H.E. Kurtulmus for the 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Meeting to be hosted by Cambodia.

In a separate engagement, H.E. Borith held talks with Hungarian National Assembly First Deputy Speaker H.E. Ms. M¡rta M¡trai to commemorate the 70th anniversary of their bilateral relations. He expressed appreciation for Hungary's support in health and education since 1979. H.E. Ms. M¡trai announced the expansion of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, which will offer 30 annual scholarships to Cambodian students. Both parties committed to organizing commemorative events throughout the year and reiterated the importance of existing parliamentary Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) as a foundation for institutional development.

H.E. Borith emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy as a means for national progress, advocating for more high-level exchanges and the sharing of legislative best practices within the IPU framework.