AKP Phnom Penh, April 08, 2026 -- 

Cambodia and France are poised to elevate their bilateral relationship to a "strategic partnership" during Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet’s current working visit to France, according to the Cambodian Royal Government’s spokesperson.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, spokesperson H.E. Pen Bona detailed the Prime Minister's extensive itinerary, which includes high-level participation in the One Health Summit in Lyon.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a pivotal bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions will focus on deepening cooperation across several pillars, including politics, security, trade, investment, and culture.

"The primary objective of this meeting is to upgrade the existing relationship between the two nations into a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future," H.E. Bona told reporters at the Office of the Council of Ministers.

Beyond bilateral interests, the two leaders will exchange views on multilateral frameworks, with a particular focus on the upcoming Francophonie Summit, which Phnom Penh is slated to host in November. The agenda is also expected to cover pressing regional and global security developments.

During his visit, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has already engaged in a series of high-profile meetings, including discussions on global health architecture and scientific governance. 

He also held informal talks with the Vice President of the World Bank for Development Finance, the Director-General of UNESCO, the President of Botswana, and CEO of Vinci Airports.

By K. Rithy Reak