EU-Cambodia: 13th Joint Committee Meeting takes place in Phnom Penh

The 13th EU-Cambodia Joint Committee took place in Phnom Penh on 26 March 2026. The meeting followed three subgroup discussions (24-25 March) on Cooperation, Trade and Investment, and Institution Building, Governance, and Human Rights, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the EU and Cambodia. The Joint Committee was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service.

The EU and Cambodia reaffirmed the alignment between Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I and the EU's Global Gateway Strategy. Both sides remain committed to mobilising investments in quality infrastructure under Global Gateway and Team Europe, particularly in the energy and clean water sectors. Discussions highlighted the successful implementation of two Global Gateway Flagships, namely the Bakheng Water Treatment Plant and the Partnership in Education for Green and Digital Jobs. The EU and Cambodia underscored the importance of supporting public finance management reforms, trade, and private sector development, as well as Cambodia's transition from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) status through export diversification and value-chain development. EU-ASEAN cooperation also remains key to address migration challenges and support Cambodia's transition towards a sustainable future. To this end, Cambodia and the EU committed to enhancing investment coordination and engaging European businesses, solidifying their shared vision for a prosperous, sustainable future.

Bilateral trade and investment relations were discussed, including Cambodia's trade preferences under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and its future transition from the Everything But Arms (EBA), improving the investment climate and the ease of doing business for EU companies to attract greater investments. Discussions also covered regional economic integration, with updates on ASEAN trade agreements and developments in the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to the EU, in 2025, EU-Cambodia bilateral trade in goods reached €7.2 billion, underscoring the importance of sustained economic engagement.

The EU and Cambodia engaged in a candid and constructive dialogue on human rights, including civil and political rights, freedom of expression, and media freedom, labour rights and business accountability, rule of law and justice reforms, in line with international conventions ratified by Cambodia. They also discussed gender equality, minority rights, and combating human trafficking and online scamming. While acknowledging significant divergences in their respective assessments of the human rights situation of Cambodia, both sides reiterated their commitment to the international human rights law and agreed to continue with the dialogue.

The meeting addressed regional and global issues, including: situations in Ukraine, the Middle East and Myanmar. They also exchanged on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict and looked at strengthening EU-ASEAN cooperation.

The Joint Committee concluded under an amicable and frank atmosphere and it was agreed that the 14^th Cambodia-EU Joint Committee and its three subgroup meetings would be held in Brussels.