Phnom Penh, Cambodia – France has officially confirmed its readiness to provide Cambodia and other relevant parties with crucial documents pertaining to border issues. This commitment was articulated by Mr. Jacques Pellet, the outgoing French Ambassador to Cambodia, during his farewell and courtesy meeting with Samdech Hun Sen, President of the Senate, on July 10th. Ambassador Pellet underscored France’s steadfast adherence to the principles of international law and its unwavering support for the International Court of Justice.
The discussions from this significant meeting were subsequently disseminated through the official communication channels of the Cambodian Senate President. Samdech Hun Sen’s official Facebook page highlighted the Ambassador’s assurance regarding the provision of border-related documents and reiterated France’s principled stance on international legal frameworks. This position, the post noted, is consistent with Cambodia’s own views, a harmony that was recently observed in their joint approach concerning the Ukraine situation.
Beyond the critical subject of border documentation, Ambassador Pellet also conveyed France’s strong support for Cambodia’s forthcoming role as host of the 20th Francophonie Summit in 2026. A highlight of this announcement is the anticipated visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to attend the summit in Cambodia in 2026. Samdech Hun Sen acknowledged this, confirming that President Macron had personally informed him of his intention to participate, a testament to the continuous high-level dialogue between the leaders of both nations since Samdech Hun Sen’s visit to France in 2022.
Samdech Hun Sen emphasized the historical significance of the upcoming Francophonie Summit, noting that it will be the first to be held in the Asia-Pacific region in 29 years, following the 1997 summit in Vietnam. He underscored its importance in fostering and preserving the rich heritage of the French language.
Regarding Cambodia’s own border concerns, particularly with Thailand (historically referred to as Siam), Samdech Hun Sen reiterated Cambodia’s resolute approach to peaceful resolution through both bilateral mechanisms and international judicial avenues. He specifically requested that France provide documents pertinent to the Cambodia-Thailand border, recalling President Macron’s prior mention of this during an earlier meeting with Cambodian leadership.
On the front of bilateral cooperation, Samdech Hun Sen expressed profound gratitude to Ambassador Pellet for his instrumental role in facilitating numerous joint initiatives. These include the organization of official royal visits, working visits, and the participation of His Majesty the King, Samdech Hun Sen (during his tenure as Prime Minister), and Samdech Prime Minister Hun Manet in various summits hosted in France. The Cambodian Senate President views these extensive engagements as crucial for solidifying the robust ties between Cambodia and France, acknowledging the Ambassador’s significant contributions to enhancing bilateral relations.
Reflecting on his diplomatic career, Ambassador Pellet shared that his journey in diplomacy began with Cambodia three decades ago and is now concluding with his ambassadorship in the country before his retirement. He observed Cambodia’s remarkable and rapid development over the past 30 years.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Pellet affirmed France’s ongoing commitment to deepening cooperation with Cambodia across a diverse array of sectors. These include healthcare, legal affairs, economic development, trade, education, military collaboration, clean water initiatives, heritage preservation, and further cooperation within the broader Francophonie framework. He also highlighted the considerable untapped potential for both nations to collaboratively enhance their bilateral relationship. Samdech Hun Sen, in turn, recommended strengthening cooperation in areas that specifically support the French language, such as healthcare, law, and French language training, while also appreciating France’s past contributions, including heritage protection, assistance in rubber cultivation, and the presence of companies like Vinci in Cambodia, urging continued partnership.
