February 6, 2026
PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet has written to French President Emmanuel Macron requesting that France consider providing technical support, expertise and advisory assistance, as well as facilitating access to and delivery of historical and technical documents related to the international boundary between Cambodia and Thailand, a legacy of the French Protectorate period.
According to a February 5 press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Manet wrote the letter after France expressed readiness to provide relevant historical documents, should Cambodia make such a request.
In the letter, Manet expressed Cambodia’s sincere gratitude to France for its principled and steadfast support for the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, as well as for France’s constructive engagement in efforts to facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
He also emphasised the great importance Cambodia attaches to France’s role — not only as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but also as a leading global champion of global governance, international law, multilateralism and as a long-standing partner bound by mutual respect, shared history and common values.
In addition to the request for support, Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to the path of peace, respect for international law in resolving disputes, renunciation of the threat or use of force and the promotion of peaceful means.
“The prime minister firmly believes that France’s continued engagement will serve the shared objective of achieving a just and lasting solution, allowing the Cambodian and Thai peoples to live side by side in peace, security, good neighbourliness and prosperity for generations to come,” said the release.
The release also highlighted Cambodia’s appreciation for France’s decades-long contributions to Cambodia’s peace, development and national reconstruction, which have played an important role in strengthening Cambodia’s national capacities and deepening the close, multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
France is the former colonial power that delimited much of the Cambodia–Thailand boundary during the protectorate period. Cambodia is seeking its help to clarify and advance a peaceful, law-based resolution of the long-standing border issues.