The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have reached an agreement to end the political deadlock lingering in almost a year after the general election in last July.

After a five-hour talks on July 22, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who headed the CPP negotiation group, and CNRP President Sam Rainsy told the media that the two sides reached a solution to the political crisis.

Sam Rainsy affirmed that CNRP parliamentarians will join the National Assembly (NA)’s meetings as soon as possible after swearing in, putting an end to a year-long boycott of the fifth NA.

At a press conference after the talks, CPP representative Prum Sokha and CNRP spokesperson Yim Sovan said the agreement consists of seven major points, stressing consensus on addressing the political row by joining the NA together towards the settlement of national issues based on principles of democracy and law.

Along with adding regulations on the National Election Committee (NEC) to the constitution, the two sides agreed on NEC personnel. The committee will have nine members, including four CPP and four CNRP representatives as well as one from a non-governmental organisation, he said.

They also concurred to share power in the NA. Accordingly, the ruling CPP holds the positions of the president and 2nd vice president of the legislative body, while the CNRP holds the position of the first vice president and chairmen of five committees in the NA.

In a move to facilitate the implementation of the agreement, CPP and CNRP agreed to propose the court free eight CNRP members who were arrested on charge of holding a violent protest on July 15.

Political dispute between the two parties has simmered since the results of the parliamentary election in July last year showed that the CPP won 68 seats against 55 seats for the CNRP.-VNA