PHNOM PENH — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Cambodia on Saturday for a state visit and the 20th Francophonie Summit, aiming to strengthen trade and investment ties with the Southeast Asian nation.
Accompanied by first lady Brigitte Macron, the French president is making the first visit to Cambodia by a French head of state since Francois Mitterrand in 1993.
In a post on X, Macron said his visits to Cambodia and Malaysia were intended to protect French jobs, open new markets and reduce economic dependence.
“In Cambodia, I am coming with business leaders to open up new markets, drawing on the French-speaking world that brings us closer together,” he said.
Macron highlighted Cambodia’s interest in French expertise from Rungis, the major wholesale food market near Paris, to support the development of a similar market in Cambodia.
The French president is also scheduled to join Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to inaugurate the restored West Mebon temple at the Angkor archaeological complex.
The inauguration follows 14 years of Franco-Cambodian restoration work, reflecting longstanding cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the International Organisation of La Francophonie announced that its 48th Ministerial Conference opened Saturday in Phnom Penh, chaired by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn.
The ministerial meeting is reviewing political and cooperation issues ahead of the Francophonie Summit scheduled for Nov. 15-16.
The summit brings together members of the French-speaking international community to discuss cooperation in education, culture, economic development and other shared priorities.
The International Organisation of La Francophonie promotes French-language cooperation and seeks to strengthen educational, cultural and economic partnerships among its members.
Source: Saudi Gazette