Cuba and the Kingdom of Cambodia established diplomatic relations on April 15, 1960. Since then, these relationships have passed all tests. The relations of friendship, cooperation, mutual assistance and support between Cuba and the Kingdom are unbreakable, even in the most difficult moments.
A year and months had passed since the triumph of the Cuban revolution and in a context in which the Caribbean island extended its ties with other Asian countries. Since then, these relationships have passed all tests.
The relations of friendship, cooperation, mutual assistance and support between Cuba and the Kingdom are unbreakable, even in the most difficult moments.
Even geographical distance has not been an impediment. These ties have been one of the legacies of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, and King Norodom Sihanouk. Both were also founders of the Non-Aligned Movement and their ideas of progress, peace and justice contributed to mutual respect and admiration.
Throughout these six decades, bilateral relations treasure indelible moments, such as the opening of the Cuban Embassy in Cambodia by Raúl Valdes Vivó in 1967, in the midst of a war for national independence.
Melba Hernandez, a Cuban hero, was accredited here on March 23, 1979, as the first female ambassador of Cuba in Cambodia, concurrent from Vietnam. That is another memorable moment in relations between our countries. Both leaders were key figures in the history of the Cuban Revolution.
In 1979, the first medical brigade travelled to Phnom Penh with the mission of helping to revitalise the health system, after the liberation of the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime. At the beginning of this century, other doctors came and they provided services through the Comprehensive Health Programme, while many young Cambodians graduated from medicine in Cuba. The Caribbean Island provides scholarship programmes for Cambodian youths. The Association of Cambodian Graduates in Cuba promotes solidarity between Havana and Phnom Penh.
The Cambodian authorities always appreciate these gestures and describe them as one of the island’s most valuable contributions to the country’s progress and to the friendship that we profess.
Prime Minister Hun Sen visited Cuba in 1999 and held a meeting of more than 10 hours with Fidel and received from him the Jose Martí Order, the highest from the Republic of Cuba.
Currently, there is a high level of concertation between the two nations at the multilateral level, with manifest mutual support in international forums and organisations. Cambodia, for example, has consistently and firmly voted against the United States’ blockade of Cuba, which it calls unfair and immoral. And that is his position on all occasions and international tribunes.
We have very close parliamentarian relationships, expressed through the exchange of visits and mutual support in the international arena. The Parliamentary Friendship Group Cambodia-Cuba is very dynamic. The Cuban Communist Party and Cambodian People’s Party agreed to work together to improve the historical friendly relations between both organisations. This was a result of an exchange of experiences and information.
Concerning the cultural field, the exchange has also been relevant. Cambodia, formerly known as the Republic of Kampuchea, was a source of inspiration for the distinguished filmmaker Santiago Alvarez who titled one of his documentaries “I have faith in you” after visiting the country in difficult times. In the summer of 2016, the First Dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba and its current director, Viengsay Valdes, made a masterful presentation in which King Norodom Sihamoni participated.
2020: Strengthening ties
In his virtual address to the Assembly, Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, rejects unilateral coercive measures at UN debate. He said: said: ” the voices of reason are stifled by the arbitrary practice of unilateral sanctions and other coercive political, economic and financial measures, all because of the strongest country uphold their interests above everything else”.
Cuba and Cambodia celebrated a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries, in the presence of the member of the Minister of Relations Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and the Cambodian Ambassador Ban Borom.
In october, Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, and Parliament President Esteban Lazo on Saturday expressed condolences to the people and Government of Cambodia, due to human and material losses as a result of heavy rains and floods. Heavy rains and floods have hit Cambodia for more than one and a half month, killing at least 40 people and causing serious material damage.
We will continue working to expand our ties, and we are sure that our friendship is immunised against any virus.
