Cambodia Says Military Cooperation Agreement With Türkiye Is Not an Arms Deal
Cambodia Says Military Cooperation Agreement With Türkiye Is Not an Arms Deal
PHNOM PENH, October 19, 2026 — Cambodia has clarified that its military cooperation framework agreement with Türkiye is intended to establish a legal basis for training, experience-sharing and capacity-building, and does not constitute an arms purchase agreement.
Jean-François Tan, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister, made the clarification during a press conference at Techo International Airport on the morning of October 18, 2026, following Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visits to Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Kazakhstan.
Speaking to reporters, Tan said Cambodia had nothing to hide about signing the agreement with Türkiye and stressed that its purpose was to facilitate military cooperation rather than arms transactions.
“Everyone needs to understand that this is a legal basis for cooperation, focusing particularly on training, the exchange of experiences and capacity-building,” Tan said. “In other words, this agreement is not an arms purchase agreement.”
Cambodia Seeks to Learn From Defence Partners
Tan explained that partner countries, particularly Türkiye, had developed advanced defence industries and military technologies. He said Cambodia, as a sovereign state, had every right to learn from the experience of friendly countries and international partners, including Azerbaijan and Türkiye.
The clarification comes after Hun Manet’s diplomatic tour, which focused on strengthening political and diplomatic relations while expanding economic and trade cooperation with the three countries.
According to Tan, the visits were primarily centred on diplomacy, political engagement and the development of broader bilateral partnerships.
Energy and Minerals Cooperation Also a Priority
Beyond defence cooperation, energy and natural resources emerged as key areas of discussion during the prime minister’s visits.
Tan noted that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan possess substantial energy resources, natural gas reserves and diverse mineral resources, making the energy sector an important subject in Cambodia’s bilateral discussions with its partners.
He added that Hun Manet would assign Cambodian delegations, particularly those specialising in energy and minerals, to visit Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to pursue practical follow-up work.
The planned visits are intended to translate the discussions into concrete cooperation, complementing Cambodia’s broader efforts to expand international partnerships in defence, energy, mining, trade and investment.
