Phnom penh: Cambodia and New Zealand have pledged to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. This commitment was made during a high-level meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Winston Peters, held at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Minister Peters expressed gratitude for the meeting and commended Cambodia on its socio-economic advancements. He reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to being a long-term partner to Cambodia and emphasized the importance of advancing bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. He also acknowledged Cambodia’s role in strengthening ties between New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly its support for the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced at the 47th ASEAN Summit in 2025.
Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed confidence that Minister Peters’ visit would further deepen bilateral relations. He appreciated New Zealand’s longstanding support for Cambodia’s peace process and socio-economic development since the 1990s. The Prime Minister also highlighted the positive outcomes of the third Bilateral Consultations between their respective foreign ministries and suggested institutionalizing this mechanism to enhance cooperation, expand private sector links, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
In a bid to boost commerce, the Prime Minister noted the establishment of a Cambodian Chamber of Commerce representative office in New Zealand to promote investment opportunities and bilateral trade. Both nations agreed to reinforce collaboration in essential areas such as trade, investment, education, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed on enhancing coordination within regional and international frameworks.
Before concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Hun Manet briefed Minister Peters on the Cambodia-Thailand border issue, reiterating Cambodia’s dedication to resolving all border issues peacefully in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and international law.