Kingdom marks anniversary of Paris Peace Agreements

The Kingdom marked the 33rd anniversry of the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements, with King Norodom Sihamoni and Senate Pressident Hun Sen highlighting the significance of the event for the country.

King Sihamoni said yesterday that, in 1991, under the leadership of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, peace was restored in Cambodia after decades of conflict.

This was achieved through unification talks that culminated in the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements by the major parties involved.

The King noted, “All people must always remember the great efforts of the King Father for the motherland of Cambodia.”

Mr Hun Sen, also President of the Cambodian People’s Party, said that 33 years ago, four parties, including himself, representing the Cambodian government, signed the peace agreements in Paris, France.

The Funcinpec movement was represented by King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Prince Norodom Ranariddh, while the Khmer People’s National Liberation Front was represented by Son Sann, and the Democratic Kampuchea Movement was represented by Khieu Samphan.

He noted that the signing took place in the presence of witnesses from 18 countries, including the United Nations Secretary-General, marking the end of the civil war in Cambodia.

Mr Hun Sen recounted that before reaching the agreements, he met with the King Father on December 2, 1987, in Fere-en-Tardenois, France in the round table talks.

The meeting minutes were signed by the King Father and himself, referred to as the “Sihanouk-Hun Sen Negotiations at Fere-en-Tardenois, December 2-4, 1987.”

The second round of talks took place on January 20-21, 1988, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France and other places. Despite the Paris Peace Agreements on October 23, 1991, the civil war continued, instigated by the Democratic Kampuchea movement.

Mr Hun Sen added that under his Win-Win Policy, the civil war came to an end by 1998, resulting in lasting peace and prosperity throughout Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Manet said on social media that two great leaders, the King Father and Mr Hun Sen, united Cambodia through peaceful negotiations, fostering national unity and reconciliation.

He added that this spirit of “one Khmer, one cause” serves as a crucial foundation for the country’s restoration and development.

“Peace is the foundation of human rights and freedoms,” he said.

On Tuesday, Funcinpec issued a statement highlighting that the historic agreement laid the groundwork for peace, national unity, and stability in Cambodia after years of devastating conflict.

The statement expressed gratitude to the King Father, and Prince Ranariddh, former President of Funcinpec, for their roles as signatories to the Paris Peace Agreements, as well as to the international community and all parties involved in the negotiations.

The statement noted that the agreement not only ended the civil war but also opened a new chapter of hope for the Cambodian people, paving the way for democracy, human rights, and freedom.