Budrys in Cambodia: respect for international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states are fundamental principles defence of which is in the mutual interest of[...]

On 24 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys met with the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet. The meeting discussed Lithuania's participation in Southeast Asian strategic projects, bilateral cooperation and support for Ukraine, and the EU-ASEAN partnership.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy emphasized that respect for international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states are the fundamental principles, the consistent defence of which is a mutual interest of Lithuania and Cambodia and an obligation of the entire international community. The Minister thanked Cambodia for its consistent position in the UN votes on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and for its participation in the demining of Ukraine together with Japan. According to Budrys, this is an excellent example of the ASEAN-EU partnership.

"The EU-ASEAN format not only offers attractive trade, economic, and business opportunities for our countries, but also contributes to tackling global challenges with global consequences. Lithuania intends to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in the near future. I hope that this will contribute to the joint efforts to create mutually beneficial and viable bilateral relations between Lithuania and Cambodia," said the head of Lithuanian diplomacy.

According to Budrys, the growing ties between the EU and Cambodia are illustrated by the first visit of the Cambodian Prime Minister to Brussels in February of this year and the work of the Joint Committee to strengthen bilateral sectoral cooperation.

Budrys also highlighted Lithuania's experience in securing energy independence and offered our country's expert assistance in the area of electricity grid synchronisation with a view to Cambodia's integration into the ASEAN Power Grid.

Lithuania's experience of disconnecting from the Russian electricity system and synchronising with the continental European network, according to Budrys, can be applied to the modernisation of Cambodia's electricity grids through the EU Global Gateway funding.

The Minister also underlined that Lithuania is ready to contribute to the digitalisation in Cambodia by offering secure and transparent GovTech solutions.

Photos: The Government of Cambodia