Cambodia

Political relations

France and Cambodia have a special relationship due to their shared history, Francophonie and France’s role in furthering development in Cambodia following the 1991 Paris agreements. The Cambodian community in France also helps maintain these links. France publicly regretted that the Cambodian elections of 2018 and 2023 took place in the absence of a credible opposition and called on the Cambodian authorities to re-enter a democratic process and allow the opposition, media and civil society to function unhindered. France has also called for dialogue between the two parties and respect for international law on numerous occasions during the various stages of the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand between July and December 2025.

France has supported the work of the Extraordinary Chambers of the Cambodian Courts (ECCC), or “Khmer Rouge Tribunal”, since their establishment in 2006 and welcomed the historic decision of 16 November 2018 classifying as genocide the actions perpetrated by two of the most senior Khmer Rouge leaders (Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan) against the Vietnamese, the Muslim community, the Chams and other religious minorities. It reiterated its support for the work of the ECCCs on the occasion of the end of the judicial phase of their work on 22 September 2022.

The European Union (EU) and Cambodia are bound by a cooperation agreement signed on 29 April 1997 and bilateral relations are formalised through the holding of a Joint Commission every two years, the last session of which was held in March 2018. The EU also contributed €32 million to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal between 2006 and 2022, or 10% of the Tribunal’s budget.

Following the deterioration of the political and human rights situation in Cambodia, the European Union decided to partially suspend the trade preferences granted to Cambodia under the “Everything but Arms” (EBA) regime in August 2020. 

Economic relations

After a decline of 5.3% in 2023, trade in 2024 increased by 8.7% compared to the previous year, to reach €1.48 billion. French exports to Cambodia (€125 million), mainly in the fields of agri-food and pharmaceuticals, fell by 26.7%. At the same time, our imports from Cambodia increased by 13.8% (€1.36 billion), almost exclusively concentrated on textile and agri-food products. Our trade deficit has therefore widened, reaching today €1.23 billion.

There are about 35 French subsidiaries – some of which are firmly established (Vinci Airports, TotalEnergies, Newrest, Accor, Décathlon...) – as well as more than 150 EFEs (hotels and restaurants, industries, agriculture...), forming a dynamic CCIFC. The FDI stock amounted to €689 million at the end of 2024. France is one of the main Western investors in Cambodia and remains active in key sectors such as transport infrastructure, energy, agri-food, tourism, health and finance.

This page has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancy, the French version shall prevail.