Cambodia, Germany Committed to Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation


The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Federal Republic of Germany have been committed to strengthening their bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in the fields of politics, economy, trade, health, culture, education, and people-to-people exchange.

Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, Acting Head of State of the Kingdom of Cambodia and visiting H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany made the commitment during their bilateral meeting at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh this morning.

On behalf of His Majesty the King, Samdech Say Chhum extended a warm welcome to H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the First Lady, stressing that their visit is a testimony to the good ties of friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and nations.

The Acting Head of State also expressed his satisfaction with the growing trade exchange between Cambodia and Germany, underlining that the latter is the largest trade partner of Cambodia among the EU member countries, and in 2022, the two-way trade increased by 4 percent compared to that in 2019.

Samdech Say Chhum took the opportunity to thank the Federal Government of Germany for its development cooperation assistance, soft loans and grant aids for Cambodian priority areas, including education, health and social protection, sustainable development, governance, culture, poverty alleviation, and mine clearance.

For his part, H.E. President of Germany spoke highly of Cambodia’s rapid development and its cultural richness, and informed Samdech Say Chhum of his visit to Siem Reap province where he visited a landmine field operated by Halo Trust and some well-known Khmer ancient temples.

H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier said this is his first ever visit to Cambodia, which reflects the strengthening and expansion of the existing and future relations and cooperation between both countries.

A high-level German delegation led by H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the First Lady H.E. Mrs. Elke Budenbender arrived in Phnom Penh last evening after spending a day-long visit in Siem Reap province.

This morning, besides Samdech Say Chhum, H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier also held an official talk with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Moreover, he laid wreaths at the Independence Monument and the Royal Memorial of Preah Borom Ratanak Kaudh, the King-Father of Cambodia.

This afternoon, he is scheduled to visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide before concluding his three-day official visit in Cambodia tomorrow morning.