(Nice): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet held a bilateral working meeting with European Council President António Costa in Nice, France, on Monday (Jun. 9), on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

During the meeting, President António Costa expressed his pleasure at meeting and engaging in a productive discussion with the Samdech Thipadei. He also highlighted the strong relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as ongoing cooperation with its member states, including Cambodia. In addition, President António Costa highly appreciated Cambodia’s efforts to build a just legal framework, particularly commending the recent push for the adoption of the Fisheries Law.

He expressed strong interest in further expanding relations and deepening cooperation with Cambodia, while acknowledging the Kingdom’s continued dedication and progress.

In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed gratitude to the European Union for its contributions to Cambodia’s socio-economic development through joint projects between Cambodia and the EU. He voiced strong hope that the EU would continue to be a reliable and supportive partner for Cambodia, especially beyond 2029, when Cambodia graduate from its status as a Least Developed Country (LDC).

Addressing the challenges in the fisheries sector, the premier noted that Cambodia has implemented several concrete measures, including the promotion of the Fisheries Law, which has already passed the National Assembly and is now under review by the Senate, expected to continue in June. Beyond the fisheries sector, he reaffirmed Cambodia’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability, setting goals to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy consumption by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050—despite being a low emitter of carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasised that amid rising global uncertainty, Cambodia remains firmly committed to liberal multilateralism. He stressed that the use of military force is not a policy priority for Cambodia, noting the country's painful experience as a victim of civil war for decades and the devastating consequences of war, particularly landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Before concluding the meeting, the president of the European Council extended an invitation to Prime Minister Hun Manet to pay an official visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels, to further explore future areas of cooperation and strengthen EU–Cambodia ties.

Prime Minister Hun Manet accepted the invitation, with plans to schedule the visit at a mutually appropriate time in the future.
=FRESH NEWS