His Excellency Mr. Knuon Phon Rattanak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, recently concluded a successful visit to Zagreb, Croatia, where he co-chaired the First Session of Bilateral Political Consultations with his Croatian counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Frano Matuaić.
During this meeting, which took place on November 4-5, 2024, both sides expressed deep satisfaction with their countries’ good relations and cooperation, which they believe will pave the way for new areas of collaboration in various fields, including diplomacy, trade, demining, tourism, people-to-people exchange, and cultural spheres.
The Cambodian delegation was briefed on Croatia’s socioeconomic situation and its achievements in rebuilding after a tumultuous past. His Excellency Mr. Knuon Phon Rattanak highlighted Cambodia’s transformation from a war-torn nation to a fast-growing lower-middle-income economy, with ambitions to reach upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2050.
The two countries discussed ways to expand trade and investment through mechanisms such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), interactions between their chambers of commerce, and business forums. Key sectors identified for cooperation include agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Croatia’s technological strengths in food processing were also highlighted, while demining emerged as a priority area for collaboration, with Cambodia potentially engaging with Croatian demining companies.
Both sides explored possibilities for tourism and cultural exchange, including the establishment of a sister-city partnership between Siem Reap, Cambodia’s significant cultural hub, and Dubrovnik, Croatia’s renowned historic city. The cities’ shared UNESCO heritage status presents opportunities to enhance cultural tourism and share sustainable practices.
Looking ahead to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, both sides discussed celebrating this milestone through high-level interactions and exchanging congratulatory letters. This anniversary offers a unique opportunity to showcase friendly relations between Cambodia and Croatia and explore further avenues of cooperation.
Maritime Cooperation and People-to-People Exchange
During his visit, His Excellency Mr. Knuon Phon Rattanak led the Cambodian delegation to Rijeka Port, where they explored opportunities for maritime cooperation through mechanisms such as knowledge sharing, joint working groups, and port investment.
The Cambodian delegation had an impressive presentation on an overview of the port’s major projects and visited key ongoing projects. Discussions with Mr. Denis Vukorepa, Executive Director of Rijeka Port Authority, aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in this field.
Conclusion
The successful visit by His Excellency Mr. Knuon Phon Rattanak to Croatia marks a significant step forward in Cambodia-Croatia relations. The outcomes of the Bilateral Political Consultations will pave the way for new areas of cooperation, enhancing bilateral ties and promoting regional and global stability.
Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic partnerships with like-minded countries is evident in this engagement with Croatia. As Cambodia continues to navigate its role in regional and international affairs, it is essential to foster strong relationships with nations sharing similar interests and values.