Hun Manet to Meet Macron as Border Issue Looms
Hun Manet to Meet Macron as Border Issue Looms
PHNOM PENH, April 6, 2026 — Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet departed for France on Monday to attend a global health summit and hold high-level talks, in a visit analysts say could also advance Phnom Penh’s position on its ongoing border dispute with Thailand.
In a statement, Hun Manet said he was leading a Cambodian delegation alongside his spouse Pich Chanmony to attend the One Health Summit in Lyon and undertake a working visit to Paris from April 6 to 9.
The trip comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and will include bilateral meetings with French officials and other international leaders.
The One Health Summit, a flagship event under France’s 2026 G7 presidency, brings together heads of state, international organisations and experts to address interconnected challenges involving human, animal and environmental health.
Beyond the official agenda, analysts suggest the visit provides a strategic opportunity for Cambodia to seek diplomatic backing on its border dispute with Thailand.
Phnom Penh has previously requested France’s assistance in accessing historical maps and colonial-era documents to support legal processes related to boundary demarcation.
“Cambodia can use this platform to reaffirm international legal frameworks and historical records that underpin its territorial integrity,” analysts say, pointing to France’s historical role in mapping the Cambodia–Thailand border.
The visit also comes amid renewed sensitivities along the frontier, where both countries have recently exchanged protests over military activities.
During his stay, Hun Manet is expected to engage in a series of bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening ties and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including diplomacy, development and security.
Cambodia and France have been deepening relations in recent years, with both sides moving toward a strategic partnership that includes cooperation in heritage preservation, defence and regional stability.
While the summit focuses on global health challenges, the visit underscores Cambodia’s broader diplomatic efforts to balance international engagement with regional priorities, particularly in managing its long-standing border issues through legal and peaceful means.
