A milestone event in the history of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of Cambodia took place in Phnom Penh as the two nations held their first-ever inter-ministerial political consultations on 8–9 May.
Political Dialogue
During the political consultations, where the Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov and the Cambodian side by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ung Rachana, both parties emphasized the importance of organizing high-level contacts.
A key focus of the negotiations was cooperation within the framework of international organizations. The Turkmen side expressed its gratitude to Phnom Penh for co-authoring and supporting Turkmenistan’s initiatives at the United Nations. Particular attention was paid to cooperation with ASEAN; Cambodia officially voiced its support for Ashgabat’s initiative to establish a “Central Asia + ASEAN” dialogue format, which promises to become an effective platform for interregional integration.
The diplomatic dialogue continued during a meeting with the Permanent State Secretary and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Mrs. Eat Sophea. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the high organizational level of these inaugural consultations. It was noted that these talks serve as a logical continuation of previous agreements and are designed to provide fresh impetus to the diversification of interstate relations.
Furthermore, the parties called for the intensification of regular political dialogue and the strengthening of contacts at the governmental and parliamentary levels. They also committed to deeper interaction within international organizations, primarily the UN, through mutual support for initiatives aimed at ensuring global peace and sustainable development.
Economy: Textiles, Logistics, and Direct Business Contacts
Specific steps to boost trade and economic ties were discussed during a meeting with the President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Neak Oknha Kith Meng. The parties identified several priority vectors for cooperation, including:
- The development of digital trade;
- Regular exchanges of business delegations and participation in international exhibitions;
- Presentations showcasing the export potential of both countries;
- Collaboration in the small and medium-sized business (SME) sector;
- Establishing links between free economic zones and industrial clusters.
Tourism and Culture: Toward a Memorandum of Understanding
The humanitarian dimension was the central theme of a meeting with Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak. Recognizing tourism as a crucial instrument for bringing peoples closer together, the parties agreed to draft and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of tourism. ///nCa, 9 May 2026