PHNOM PENH: The Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olivier Becht, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace on Wednesday morning, 25 January 2023.

The Prime Minister’s Assistant, Eang Sophalleth, informed the media after the meeting that Minister Delegate Olivier Becht thanked the Prime Minister of Cambodia for rebuilding a memorial for the Cambodian and French soldiers who died in World War I.

He said that this memorial “is a symbol of Cambodian friendship and solidarity with France.”

During the meeting, Minister Delegate Becht also remarked that the friendship between the two countries began through culture and expanded to other areas such as education, investment, environment, infrastructure, high-speed rail, economy, trade, tourism and agriculture.

The French Minister Delegate further emphasized to Prime Minister Hun Sen that France is ready to help strengthen cooperation with Cambodia and provide further support in this area.

In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that rebuilding the statue memorializing Cambodian and French soldiers who fought in World War I also symbolizes the unity and achievements made in the relations between French and Cambodian soldiers. The statue was originally built in 1925 but was unfortunately destroyed by the Khmer Rouge during the Pol Pot era.

The Prime Minister also thanked the French government and people for always providing help to Cambodia in the past.

Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Olivier Becht, is paying a two-day visit to Cambodia from 24-25 January 2023, to help strengthen economic cooperation between France and Cambodia.

During his visit, the Minister will hold various meetings with the French community in Cambodia, especially representatives of the vibrant French business community.

He will also attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a memorial statue honoring the Cambodian and French martyrs of World War I, which will be attended by the Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Deputy Prime Minister Chea Sophara, and the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeurng Sackona

Minister Delegate Becht will also inspect the construction of the Bak Kheng water treatment plant, which is financed by the French Agency for Development (AFD), the European Investment Bank and the European Union.

Before concluding his visit, he will also visit the Angkor Wat temple complex, particularly the Western Mebon temple renovation site, which is funded by France.