Foreign relations of Cambodia

The Cambodian government has diplomatic relations with most countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as all of its Asian neighbors, including China, India, Vietnam, Laos, South Korea, and Thailand. The government is a member of most major international organizations, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The government is an Asian Development Bank (ADB) member, a member of ASEAN, and of the WTO. In 2005 Cambodia attended the inaugural East Asia Summit. The government is also a member of the Pacific Alliance (as observer) and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (as dialogue partner).[1]

International disputes

Delegates of the ASEAN Summit pose for a photograph at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 19 November 2012.

Cambodia is involved in a dispute regarding offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam. In addition, the maritime boundary Cambodia has with Vietnam is undefined. Parts of Cambodia's border with Thailand are indefinite, and the maritime boundary with Thailand is not clearly defined.

Illicit drugs

Cambodia is a transshipment site for Golden Triangle heroin, and possibly a site of money laundering. There is corruption related to narcotics in parts of the government, military and police. Cambodia is also a possible site of small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production. The country is a large producer of cannabis for the international market.

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Ivory Coast	2008	Guillaume Soro visited Cambodia and met with President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin. The two countries agreed to strengthen their diplomatic ties. Soro pledged to seek possibilities to cooperate in the agricultural sector with Cambodia.
Malawi	20 July 2011	In 2011 Cambodia and Malawi have entered into formal diplomatic relations and have agreed to mutually provide all necessary assistance for the performance of the functions of diplomatic representatives in accordance international practice.
Sierra Leone	18 April 1961
South Africa	January 1995	South Africa is accredited to Cambodia from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Americas

Country	Formal relations began in	Notes
Belize	1 November 1994	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 1994.[2]
Canada		See Cambodia–Canada relations
Cuba		Cambodia has an embassy in Havana. Cuba has an embassy in Phnom Penh.
Guyana	5 September 1973	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 September 1973.[3]
Mexico	September 1976	Cambodia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[4][5] Mexico is accredited to Cambodia from its embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam.[6]
United States	11 July 1950	See Cambodia–United States relations Prime Minister Hun Sen with United States Secretary of State John Kerry in 2016. Vice President Spiro Agnew visited Cambodia in 1970. Barack Obama visited Cambodia in 2012 during an ASEAN Meeting. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Cambodia in 2012 and met with foreign minister Hor Namhong and Prime Minister Hun Sen. Cambodia has an embassy in Washington, D.C. United States has an embassy in Phnom Penh.
Uruguay	1995	Uruguay is accredited to Cambodia from its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Asia

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Armenia	14 May 1992[7]
Brunei	9 June 1992	See Brunei–Cambodia relations Brunei has an embassy in Phnom Penh.[8] Cambodia has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[8] The relations are mainly on economics and security.
China	19 July 1958	See Cambodia–China relations Cambodia and the People's Republic of China relations have strengthened considerably after the end of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. Cambodia has an embassy in Beijing. China has an embassy in Phnom Penh
East Timor	2003	Cambodia supports East Timor's candidacy in ASEAN and the ICC. East Timor's foreign minister went for a visit in Cambodia in 2003.
India	1981	See Cambodia–India relations Cambodia and India are both in the Hindu Religion many years ago. India has an embassy in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has an embassy in New Delhi.
Indonesia	1957	See Cambodia–Indonesia relations The relations between both countries dates back to the Pre-Angkorian and Srivijaya era.
Israel	1960 1993 (reestablished)	See Cambodia–Israel relations Israel has an embassy in Bangkok.[9]
Japan	1950	See Cambodia–Japan relations Japan has an embassy in Phnom Penh.[10] Both Countries relations that in 1946, King Norodom Sihanouk said that Japan do not need to pay for the destruction since 1940, he said Cambodia wanted to be allied with Japan.
Kuwait		Cambodia has an embassy in Kuwait City. Kuwait has an embassy in Phnom Penh.
Laos	15 June 1956	Laos has an embassy in Phnom Penh.[11] Cambodia has an embassy in Vientiane.[12] Historically, relations have been tense, with long-standing unresolved border disputes.[13][14]
Malaysia	2 December 1996	See Cambodia–Malaysia relations The relations are mainly in economic.[15] Malaysia was the fourth largest foreign investors to Cambodian in 2009.[16]
Mongolia	11 November 1960[17]	Cambodia is accredited to Mongolia from its embassy in Beijing, China. Mongolia is accredited to Cambodia from its embassy in Vientiane, Laos.
Myanmar		Cambodia has an embassy in Yangon. Myanmar has an embassy in Phnom Penh.
North Korea	28 December 1964[18]	See Cambodia–North Korea relations
Pakistan		See Cambodia–Pakistan relations Pakistan has an embassy in Phnom Penh although Cambodia doesn't have an embassy in Pakistan.
Philippines	1956	See Cambodia–Philippines relations Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on 14 December 2016. The two countries have an agreements on economic and trade relations, agricultural and agribusiness collaboration, and tourism cooperation. Cambodia has an embassy in Manila.
Singapore	10 August 1965	See Cambodia–Singapore relations Cambodia was one of the first countries to recognize Singapore's sovereignty when it became independent in 1965. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Cambodia in 2005 and 2012. Singapore has an embassy in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has an embassy in Singapore.
South Korea	18 May 1970[19]	See Cambodia–South Korea relations[19] King Norodom Sihamoni granting an audience to President of South Korea Lee Myung-bak in 2009. The Republic of Korea has an embassy in Phnom Penh. The Kingdom of Cambodia has an embassy in Seoul.
Thailand	1468	See Cambodia–Thailand relations Cambodian–Thai border dispute The Kingdom of Thailand has an embassy in Phnom Penh. The Kingdom of Cambodia has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand was once Cambodia's arch-enemy.
Turkey	1959[20]	See Cambodia–Turkey relations Cambodia has an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has an embassy in Phnom Penh. Trade volume between the two countries was 108.4 million USD in 2015 (Cambodian exports/imports: 94.7/13.7 million USD).[21]
Vietnam	1605 1991 (reestablished)	See Cambodia–Vietnam relations Bilateral relations between the Cambodia and Vietnam were for long strained due to the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. The maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands.

Europe

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Austria		See Austria–Cambodia relations
Croatia	10 September 1996
Cyprus	16 May 2000[22]
Denmark	20 November 1969	See Cambodia–Denmark relations
Finland	20 January 1970[23]	Finland recognized Cambodia on 19 December 1969. Diplomatic relations established on 20 January 1970, re-established 9 August 1976.[23] Cambodia is represented in Finland through its embassy in London, England[24] Finland is represented in Cambodia through its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand[25]
France	1863	See Cambodia–France relations French president Charles de Gaulle visited Cambodia in 1966 and was given a welcome by Prince Norodom Sihanouk.[26] Cambodia has an embassy in Paris. France has an embassy in Phnom Penh.
Germany		Cambodia has an embassy in Berlin. Germany has an embassy in Phnom Penh.
Greece		Cambodia's embassy in Brussels, Belgium is also accredited to Greece Greece's embassy in Bangkok is also accredited to Cambodia.[27] Both countries are full members of the Francophonie.[28]
Latvia	4 May 1990[29]
Malta	13 January 2005[30]
Romania	10 July 1963	Romania has no diplomatic office in Cambodia. The diplomatic representation of Romania in Cambodia is handled by the Romanian embassy in Hanoi, in neighbouring Vietnam. Cambodia has no diplomatic office in Romania. The diplomatic representation of Cambodia in Romania is handled by the Cambodian embassy in Moscow, Russia.
Russia	13 May 1956[31]	See Cambodia–Russia relations Prime Minister Hun Sen with President of Russia Vladimir Putin in 2016. The relations between both countries were strong since the Soviet era. Russia has an embassy in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has an embassy in Moscow. Both countries are full members of the East Asia Summit.
Serbia	1956[32]
Spain		See Cambodia–Spain relations
Switzerland	1957[33]	Switzerland recognized Cambodia in 1957, and the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1963. Bilateral relations between Cambodia and Switzerland are good. Switzerland supports the transition process and development efforts in Cambodia. Trade between the two countries is marginal.[33]
United Kingdom	1953 1976 (reestablished)	See Cambodia–United Kingdom relations British Minister of State Hugo Swire visited Cambodia on 29 January 2014 to discuss solutions for political deadlock with the ruling and opposition parties.[34] Cambodia has an embassy in London. United Kingdom has an embassy in Phnom Penh.

Oceania

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Australia	1950's[35]	Australia has an embassy in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has an embassy in Canberra.[8]

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Cambodia
• List of diplomatic missions of Cambodia

References

1. Sok Udom Deth, and Serkan Bulut, eds. Cambodia's Foreign Relations in Regional and Global Contexts (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, 2017; comprehensive coverage) full book online free.
2. "Diplomatic Relations - Belize" (PDF). mfa.gov.bz. May 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. Embassy of Cambodia in the United States
5. Relations between Mexico and Vietnam and Cambodia (in Spanish)
6. Embassy of Mexico in Vietnam
7. "Cambodia – Bilateral Relations – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia". mfa.am. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
8. "Brunei-Cambodia Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Brunei). Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
9. ממלכת קמבודיה, באתר משרד החוץ
10. "Embassy of Japan in Cambodia". kh.emb-japan.go.jp. Archived from the original on 18 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
11. "Foreign Embassies in Phnom Penh". Royal Embassy of Cambodia. Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
12. "Cambodia Missions Worldwide". Royal Embassy of Cambodia. Archived from the original on 19 August 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
13. David Levinson, and Karen Christensen, eds. Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. (2002) 1:426–426.
14. Baird, Ian G. (June 2010). "Different views of history: Shades of irredentism along the Laos – Cambodia border". Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 41 (2): 187–213. doi:10.1017/s0022463410000020.
15. Kun Makara (24 September 2012). "Malaysia-Cambodia trade increases". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
16. "Cambodia, Malaysia pledge to further trade, investment relations". People's Daily Online. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
17. http://www.mfa.gov.mn/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70%3A2009-12-21-02-02-12&catid=39%3A2009-12-20-21-53-08&Itemid=170&lang=en%5B%5D
18. Wertz, Daniel; Oh, JJ; Kim, Insung (August 2016). Issue Brief: DPRK Diplomatic Relations (PDF). The National Committee on North Korea. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
19. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea-Asia Pacific". mofa.go.kr. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
20. "Relations between Turkey and Cambodia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
21. "Turkey-Cambodia Bilateral Economic and Commercial Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
22. "Cambodia" (PDF). Cyprus MFA Archives. 16 May 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
23. "Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Entering Finland and travelling abroad: Cambodia". formin.finland.fi. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
24. "Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia – Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Entering Finland and travelling abroad: Diplomatic representation of Cambodia in Finland". formin.finland.fi. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
25. "Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Entering Finland and travelling abroad: Finnish missions in Cambodia". formin.finland.fi. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
26. Pantheon-Sorbonne University (ed.). "La visite du général de Gaulle à Phnom Penh. Entre mythes et réalités". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
27. "Bilateral Relations: Cambodia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece). 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
28. "Membres" (in French). L'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. 2009. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
29. "Bilateral Agreements – MFA of Latvia". mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
30. "Cambodia – Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of Malta". foreignaffairs.gov.mt. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
31. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
32. "Cambodia". mfa.gov.rs. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
33. "Bilateral relations Switzerland–Cambodia". eda.admin.ch. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
34. Ly Menghour (30 January 2014). "English Foreign Minister Visits Cambodia". RFI Khmer.
35. "Cambodia country brief – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade". dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 14 May 2016.

Further reading

• Deth, Sok Udom, and Serkan Bulut, eds. Cambodia's Foreign Relations in Regional and Global Contexts (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, 2017; comprehensive coverage) full book online free.
  • Path Kosal, "Introduction: Cambodia’s Political History and Foreign Relations, 1945-1998" pp 1-26
• Acharya, Amitav. The Making of Southeast Asia: International Relations of A Region (Cornell UP, 2012)
• Chandler, David. The Tragedy of Cambodian History: Politics, War, and Revolution since 1945 (Yale UP, 1991)
• Ciorciari, John D. "Cambodia in 2019: Backing Further into a Corner." Asian Survey 60.1 (2020): 125-131. online
• Clymer, Kenton. Troubled Relations: The United States and Cambodia since 1870 (Northern Illinois UP, 2007).
• Leighton, Marian Kirsch. "Perspectives on the Vietnam-Cambodia border conflict." Asian Survey 18.5 (1978): 448-457. online
• Leng, Thearith. "2016: A Promising Year for Cambodia?." Southeast Asian Affairs (2017): 133-146. online
• Morris, Stephen J. Why Vietnam invaded Cambodia: Political culture and the causes of war (Stanford University Press, 1999).
• Peou, Sorpong. "Cambodia in 2018: a year of setbacks and successes." Southeast Asian Affairs 2019.1 (2019): 104-119. online
• Richardson, Sophie. China, Cambodia and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Columbia UP, 2010)
• Smith, Roger. Cambodia’s Foreign Policy (Cornell UP, 1965).
• Un, Kheang, and Jing Jing Luo. "Cambodia in 2019: Entrenching One-Party Rule and Asserting National Sovereignty in the Era of Shifting Global Geopolitics." Southeast Asian Affairs 2020.1 (2020): 117-134. online
• Westad, Odd Arne, and Sophie Quinn-Judge, eds. The third Indochina war: conflict between China, Vietnam and Cambodia, 1972-79 (Routledge, 2006).
• Womack, Brantly. "Asymmetry and systemic misperception: China, Vietnam and Cambodia during the 1970s." Journal of Strategic Studies 26.2 (2003): 92-119 online.

External links

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
• US Department of State: Foreign relations with Southeast Asia 1961–63
• Foreign relations between Cambodia and Germany
• Japan-Cambodia Relations
• List of foreign embassies in Cambodia
• Foreign relations between Cambodia and Australia
• AsiaSociety: essays relating to the development of Cambodia