Cambodia, France Reaffirm Longstanding Friendship and Strategic Cooperation

PHNOM PENH (Sept. 10, 2025) — Cambodia and France have reaffirmed their longstanding friendship and mutual trust, pledging to deepen bilateral ties and expand cooperation for the benefit of both nations.

The commitment was made during a courtesy call by Olivier Richard, newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Cambodia, to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.

Sokhonn welcomed Ambassador Richard in his new role and expressed appreciation for the enduring Cambodia–France partnership. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to working closely with the ambassador to build on past achievements and further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Both sides highlighted recent progress in high-level engagements, including discussions between Prime Minister Hun Manet and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice earlier this year.

The talks reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to signing and ratifying the BBNJ Agreement and its endorsement of the “Nice Wake-Up Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty.”

Officials also welcomed ongoing efforts to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and looked ahead to the third session of Bilateral Political Consultations, scheduled for late 2025 in Phnom Penh.

On economic cooperation, Sokhonn thanked France for its continued support of Cambodia’s socio-economic development, particularly through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

He also welcomed the upcoming visit of the MEDEF International delegation and encouraged further French investment in key sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, aviation, and the digital economy.

The meeting also touched on cooperation in culture, health, defense, and environmental protection. Sokhonn briefed Ambassador Richard on the current status of Cambodia–Thailand border issues.