Cambodia and Russia agreed to promote further development of the “long-lasting and time-tested” bonds of friendship and mutual support between the two countries in-line with the basic values and aspirations of the peoples of both countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov met on August 5, according to a press statement from the foreign affairs ministry.

“Cambodia and Russia will maintain and intensify political dialogue, regular contacts between their governments, parliaments, local authorities and political parties.

“They will enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, science and technology, education and culture, defence and security, creating favourable conditions for the activities of organisations and companies in all sectors,” the statement said.

Both countries will continue to respect the “legitimate interests” of each other in bilateral relations and within the framework of regional and international fora.

They also agreed to promote mutual support on key issues internationally and regionally, with an emphasis on strengthening ASEAN centrality in the context of expanding multilateral interactions in the Asia-Pacific space.

During the meeting, Sokhonn and Lavrov signed the "Plan of Consultations” between the two ministries for 2022-2024. The Plan of Consultations will contribute to further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

No mention was made in the ministry’s statement as to whether Cambodia’s co-sponsorship with nearly 100 other countries of the UN General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine – which passed after 141 out of 193 UN member countries voted in favour of it – came up for discussion during the meeting.