Phnom Penh:Thirty-three years after the historic visit of French President François Mitterrand and 60 years following General Charles de Gaulle's landmark speech, France and Cambodia are marking a significant development in their bilateral relationship.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit and French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Cambodia, French Ambassador H.E. Olivier Richard provided an exclusive interview to Cambodian state media. In this interview, he discussed the modernization of bilateral relations and the major issues surrounding the summit.
Cambodia has experienced significant changes since the 1990s, transitioning from a post-conflict reconstruction phase to an emerging economic and technological player as it approaches graduation from the status of a least developed country (LDC). Ambassador Richard emphasized that the partnership between France and Cambodia aims to adapt to these changes, reaffirming France's commitment to being a friend and partner to Cambodia in the coming years.
The evolution of this partnership is evident in several strategic sectors, including the economy and innovation, higher education and research, heritage and culture, and defense. The 2026 Francophonie Summit, returning to Asia 29 years after its 1997 event in Hanoi, brings particular pride to Cambodia, a founding member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), which was established under the guidance of the late King Father, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.