GERMANY: Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, paid an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany on Wednesday, 23 February, at the invitation of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. This is the first visit of its kind made in 25 years since the last exchange of visits in January 1997. During Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn’s visit, the two sides discussed bilateral ties, cooperation with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region, climate change as well as the situation in Myanmar and Ukraine.

According to a press release on the outcomes of this meeting issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, 24 February, DPM Prak Sokhonn expressed deep value for the quality relations between Cambodia and Germany, as reflected by the exchange of high level visits and the recent signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent on Bilateral Consultations between both Ministries of Foreign Affairs on 26 January, as well as the First Consultations held in Phnom Penh on that same day.

DPM Prak Sokhonn also conveyed deep thanks for the continuous generous assistance extended by Germany to Cambodia since 1992, aid which has now reached a total of 580 million Euros (more than US $650 million) including 53 million Euros (US $59.4 million) under the Technical Cooperation Agreement for 2021-2022, and the additional support of 14 million Euros (US $15.6 million), to the COVID-19 Emergency Response of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

DPM Prak Sakhonn said that Cambodia is looking forward to working closely with Germany to combat climate change, and he expressed his appreciation to the country for its support in developing a National Adaptation Plan (NAP), in cooperation with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). He added that Cambodia is committed to increase renewable energy to 25% of the national integrated energy sources by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The two Foreign Ministers further exchanged views on regional and international issues of interest and concern to their respective two regions. Regarding the situation in Myanmar, both sides agreed on the necessity to implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus to help re-establish normalcy in the country. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed support for Cambodia as the 2022 Chair of ASEAN, as well as for the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair, who has envisioned a visit to Myanmar to advance the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and find common ground to ending the violence, provide humanitarian assistance and create a conducive environment to start a dialogue among all parties concerned. Minister Baerbock expressed the willingness of her country to join in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the People of Myanmar.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the German Foreign Minister stressed the importance of solidarity and partnership between the G7 and ASEAN, and both sides emphasized the crucial significance of securing world peace and maintaining the rule of law in international affairs as the fundaments for international cooperation and shared prosperity.

The meeting concluded with both Ministers expressing their profound satisfaction at the exchange of mutual support for their respective candidatures in international bodies.