The following is the outcome of the official visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Cambodia released this afternoon by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:
“At the invitation of Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei SAY Chhum, Acting Head of State and President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, His Excellency Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, led a high-level Delegation to pay an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 14 to 16 February 2023.
During the visit, His Excellency Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier had Official Talks with Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei SAY Chhum on 15 February. Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei SAY Chhum highly praised President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s historical Official Visit to the Kingdom, noting that this was the first Official Visit ever by the highest-ranking Office holder of Germany.
After the Official Talks, His Excellency Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid wreathes at the Independence Monument and at the Monument of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK, PREAH BOROM RATANAK KAUDH, the late King-Father of Cambodia.
The President then proceeded to have fruitful Official Talks with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the same day, during which various aspects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of common interest and concern were discussed. Samdech Techo Prime Minister also recalled the important discussions he had with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit on 14 December 2022 in Brussels.
Samdech Techo Prime Minister expressed his very deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the continued support and contribution of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia’s socio-economic development in many fields, namely, education, culture, rural development, poverty reduction, energy, mine clearance, good governance, decentralization, land reform just to name a few as well as the recent contribution to the Royal Government’s Covid-19 Emergency Response Plan, which has helped Cambodia to successfully cope with Covid-19 and fully reopen the country. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke highly of the progress that Cambodia has achieved over the past 25 years and was impressed with the success of Cambodia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022.
During the talks, Samdech Techo noted with deep satisfaction that, among the 27 EU countries, Germany is the biggest bilateral trading partner of Cambodia. Samdech Techo also highly appreciated Germany’s support for mine clearance activities in Cambodia since 1994 and informed the President that Cambodia aims to be a mine-free country by 2025. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was pleased to confirm that Germany’s support for the mine clearance operations and for the conservation efforts of the Angkor temples would continue.
After the Official Talks, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier led the German business delegation for an Introductory Meeting with Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN. He reiterated the readiness of his country to help Cambodia combat climate change and use renewable energy. German technology is also available to contribute to sustainable long term socio-economic development of Cambodia. The two Leaders shared views on various important aspects of the investing environment and potentials in Cambodia. Samdech Techo briefed the German investors about investment opportunities in Cambodia and invited them to choose Cambodia as their FDI destination, taken into account the many comparative advantages that Cambodia offers, including its new investment law, ASEAN Community Building and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The German business delegation recognized that Cambodia is one of the most business-friendly countries, open and stable. The business delegation was impressed with Cambodia’s development over the last few decades and Cambodia’s great success in handling Covid-19. They expressed their desire to increase their presence in Cambodia.
During his stay in the Kingdom, His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier also visited Halo Trust and Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province in conjunction with the German-supported projects with Apsara National Authority. While in Phnom Penh, the President visited Tuol Sleng Genocidal Museum.
To pay homage to the historic importance of the Official Visit, Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei SAY Chhum hosted an Official Lunch in honour of His Excellency President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the First Lady Mrs. Elke Büdenbender and members of the High Delegation at the Peace Palace.
As part of the visit, the German business delegation had a separate working session with His Excellency SOK Chenda Sophea, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the Cambodia Development Council (CDC) in the Afternoon of 15 February 2023.
The Official Visit of His Excellency Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, opened a golden page in the excellent bilateral relations which happily exist between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Federal Republic of Germany. It was conducted in a cordial atmosphere of mutual trust, high appreciation and esteem which form the backbone for the close friendship and multi sectoral cooperation between the two countries.”
