Diplomacy: French ambassador and Senate president discuss investment, education, the Francophonie and Roland Dumas

On 4 July 2024, Samdech Techo Hun Sen received a courtesy call from French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet at the Senate. They discussed investment, education, the Francophonie and Roland Dumas.

During the meeting, the French Ambassador highlighted the significant strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and France through high-level visits, including Samdech Techo's visit to France at the end of 2022, the King's visit in 2023, and the first official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in January 2024

Mr. Jacques Pellet also expressed his pleasure at welcoming Minister of Education Hang Chuon Naron, who will be leading the sports delegation to the upcoming Summer Games.

At the same time, France is pleased to offer its full support to Cambodia's candidacy to host the 2026 Francophone Summit, which will be attended by more than 90 countries. Cambodia will be the second ASEAN country to host the summit, following Vietnam in 1997, where France also assisted in the organisation.

The ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the use of French by the Cambodian leadership and people. He also informed Samdech Thipadei about the proposal to expand the French High School René Descartes in Phnom Penh due to the high number of student applications that the school cannot currently accommodate.

He also informed Samdech Techo about the growth of the Cambodian-French economy, noting the steady increase in French companies' investments in Cambodia. This week, Phnom Penh will host the 2nd edition of Cambodia-France Business Forum with the participation of 250 French private investors. Prime Minister Hun Manet will deliver the opening remarks at the Business Forum, accompanied by interventions from seven Cambodian government ministers, all of whom speak French.

Last week, the ambassador also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the third phase of the Bak Kheng Water Treatment Plant, which was attended by French company Vinci Constructions. This is a significant achievement of the cooperation between the Cambodian government, the French Embassy, and the French Agency for Development (AFD). Assistance to Cambodia through the AFD has increased from 100 million euros to 215 million euros for vocational training, energy, and water production.

At the same time, the ambassador informed Samdech Techo about the planned visit to Cambodia by President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher, scheduled for the end of 2024.

In turn, Samdech Techo Hun Sen commended the advancement of Cambodia-France collaboration and relations, noting their enhanced proximity and advancement

Hun Sen wished France success in hosting the Summer Olympics and the 19th Francophone Summit in 2024 and thanked Cambodian athletes for extending an invitation to them to participate in the Olympics.

On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen praised the construction of the third phase of the Bak Kheng Water Treatment Plant, which will ensure that the people in Phnom Penh and Takhmao no longer lack clean water. Samdech Techo also welcomed and congratulated the organisation of the Cambodia-France Business Forum. He also recalled the establishment of the Cambodian Senate in 1999, which was a necessary requirement for the nation and a continuation of the two-tier parliamentary system from the past. In the 5th legislature of the Senate, Samdech Techo set out two main priorities. The first priority is parliamentary diplomacy due to the rapidly evolving and unpredictable global situation. The second priority is the accountability of the Senate before the electorate. All senators must be accountable to the electorate.

Samdech Techo also thanked France for supporting Cambodia's candidacy to host the Francophonie Summit in 2026. He proposed that the French Embassy engage with partners and relevant institutions to expand the teaching of French in Cambodia, given the enduring need to learn French.

The ambassador also announced the death of Roland Dumas, the 101-year-old former French Foreign Minister, who co-chaired several meetings during the peace talks leading to the signing of the Paris Agreement on Cambodia in 1991.

Samdech Techo conveyed his deepest condolences and shock over the death of Roland Dumas. He considered him as one of the benefactors of Cambodia who assisted in the negotiations and preparation of the Paris Peace Agreement.

Samdech Techo reminisced about the numerous collaborations and relationships that Roland Dumas fostered for the advancement of peace in Cambodia.

Finally, both parties discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and reaffirmed their commitment to continued bilateral cooperation in the following areas: diplomacy, parliament, economy, trade, investment, health, military, digital education, culture through the peacekeepers, infrastructure, and mutual support in the international arena. Their objective is to contribute to maintaining global peace and security, tackling climate change, and combating the use of plastics and HIV, among other issues.