France Set to Sign 28 Agreements with Cambodia During Macron’s Historic Visit
France Set to Sign 28 Agreements with Cambodia During Macron’s Historic Visit
PHNOM PENH, November 13, 2026 — France and Cambodia are expected to sign 28 agreements, memoranda of understanding and letters of intent during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Cambodia from November 14 to 16, covering strategic sectors including space technology, energy, defence and infrastructure.
According to investigative publication Intelligence Online, the visit marks the first state visit by a French president to Cambodia since François Mitterrand visited in 1993. Macron will also attend the 20th Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia is hosting during the same period.
Among the planned agreements, Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to provide training in civilian satellite imagery, particularly for environmental monitoring and agriculture.
The initiative aims to strengthen Cambodia’s expertise in space technology and help develop its future space programme.
In the energy sector, French electricity provider EDF is expected to formalise an agreement for a pumped-storage hydropower project valued at more than €1 billion. Under the proposed ownership structure, the Cambodian government would hold a 49% stake, while EDF would own 51%, alongside other investors.
Defence Cooperation and Airport Security
Defence cooperation is expected to focus mainly on training Cambodian military officers. Several French and international companies have also explored opportunities to supply defence equipment to Cambodia following the lifting of the US arms embargo last year.
However, Intelligence Online reported that these efforts have not yet resulted in any completed sales. France’s major defence companies may also be cautious about pursuing the Cambodian market because of their much larger commercial interests in Thailand, where tensions with Cambodia over the border remain unresolved.
Airport management and security are other areas of interest during Macron’s visit. Although no agreement is currently scheduled for signing, French airport operator Vinci Airports may use the visit to advance discussions with Cambodia’s civil aviation authority over potentially regaining operational control of Siem Reap Airport.
Meanwhile, French security company Amarante International is reportedly seeking an opportunity to become the airport security operator at Techo International Airport.
Francophonie Summit and Economic Opportunities
The simultaneous organisation of Macron’s state visit and the Francophonie Summit has reportedly complicated coordination between the two agendas, potentially causing frustration on the Cambodian side.
Cambodia is also using the international gathering to advance its trade and investment diplomacy, with agreements planned involving investment agencies and business organisations from several countries and regions, including Quebec, Rwanda, the Republic of the Congo, Romania and Monaco.
Economic activities will include FrancoTech, a technology and innovation exhibition, and the Rencontre des entrepreneurs francophones (REF), which is expected to attract up to 750 international participants and 2,000 Cambodian participants.
The REF is organised by the Alliance of Francophone Employers in partnership with the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.
The visit and summit offer both countries an opportunity to strengthen economic ties and expand cooperation across strategic industries.
