In a significant development for Cambodia-Canada relations, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos. The meeting marked a substantial step towards deepening bilateral ties and practical cooperation between the two nations.
On October 10, 2024, during their talks, both leaders pledged to enhance Cambodia-Canada relations, with Canada set to re-open its Embassy in Phnom Penh soon. Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet warmly welcomed this development, emphasizing the importance of increased diplomatic representation for bilateral cooperation. In response, the Canadian Prime Minister announced plans to send a Team Canada Trade Mission to Cambodia in 2025 under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The two leaders highlighted the growing significance of their relations, citing the fruitful outcome of their first bilateral consultation between their foreign ministries on September 5, 2024. They emphasized the importance of regular meetings to deepen cooperation and explore ways to generate mutual benefits from the vast potentials and economic opportunities of both nations.
Economic relations between Cambodia and Canada have seen significant growth in recent years, with bilateral trade and investment increasing substantially. The Canadian Prime Minister announced plans for a Team Canada Trade Mission to Cambodia in 2025, which will complement the existing ASEAN-Canada free-trade agreement. Both leaders expressed optimism that this would enhance business exchanges and trade between the two countries.
Cambodia's remarkable socio-economic progress was also commended by the Canadian Prime Minister, who congratulated the country on its election as host of the 20th Francophonie Summit in 2026. Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet recalled Canada's contribution to peace in Cambodia through its support for demining under the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in the early 1990s and expressed gratitude for continued demining assistance.
The meeting also saw discussions on regional and international cooperation, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of ASEAN-Canada relations. The Canadian Prime Minister commended Cambodia's election as host of the Francophonie Summit in 2026, while Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet thanked Canada for its support in promoting peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the meeting between Prime Ministers Trudeau and Hun Manet marked a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between Cambodia and Canada. The two leaders' pledges to enhance cooperation and mutual benefits reflect the growing importance of their relationship, with economic, social, and cultural exchanges set to flourish in the years to come.