Cambodia and France plan ‘strategic partnership’ as Macron prepares landmark visit

PHNOM PENH, April 9, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia and France have agreed to upgrade their bilateral ties to a “strategic partnership” as French President Emmanuel Macron prepares for a landmark visit to Phnom Penh later this year, officials said Thursday.

The trip will mark the first official visit to Cambodia by a French head of state since Charles de Gaulle in 1966.

Prime Minister Hun Manet said the two sides had agreed to elevate relations following talks in Paris. In a social media post, he thanked Macron for what he described as “fruitful discussions” aimed at strengthening cooperation.

“As a key result of this meeting, Cambodia and France agreed to prepare for upgrading their bilateral relations to the level of a ‘strategic partnership’ in the near future,” Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet wrote.

Macron said Cambodia and France shared a “deep common history” and that ties were continuing to strengthen.

Speaking after their meeting on April 8, he highlighted expanding cooperation in energy, healthcare, and cultural heritage, and confirmed plans to visit Cambodia in November for the Francophonie Summit.

The visit is expected to deepen relations and underline Cambodia’s role within the French-speaking international community.

Both sides described the planned partnership as signalling a new phase in relations, reflecting growing cooperation across sectors and increasing mutual trust.