Strengthening Ties: Cambodian Prime Minister Visits Türkiye

On October 15-16, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited Türkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit commenced with an official ceremony at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul, where both leaders introduced their respective delegations before engaging in a one-on-one meeting followed by discussions among their delegations.

According to Türkiye's Directorate of Communications, the main focus of the talks was to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues for cooperation. Erdogan and Manet reviewed the current state of Türkiye-Cambodia relations and discussed potential steps to deepen collaboration across various sectors, including trade, agriculture, and health tourism.

“Cham Nimul said they aimed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, health tourism, and other sectors that complement their economies.”Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul

During the 4th Joint Economic Commission meeting held on November 4, 2025, both countries set an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion. Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul and Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı co-chaired the meeting, where they emphasized the complementarity of their economies. They discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, food processing, packaging, and health sectors, among others, as reported by the Cambodian Commerce Ministry.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations through agreed activities, which encompass trade in goods and services, civil aviation, transport, education, and vocational training. The meeting highlighted the need to encourage private sector engagement and organize joint business matching events to facilitate new partnerships and investment opportunities.

“Burhanettin Duran noted the visit was an important step in efforts to deepen economic ties and explore new opportunities.”Burhanettin Duran, Turkish Directorate of Communications

Historically, Cambodia and Türkiye have maintained diplomatic relations since 1959, with significant progress in tourism cooperation marked by a memorandum signed in 2018. In 2025, nearly 11,000 Turkish tourists visited Cambodia, showcasing a growing interest in cultural and economic exchanges. The establishment of direct flights between Istanbul and Phnom Penh has further enhanced connectivity, facilitating travel and tourism between the two nations.

In a joint news conference, Erdogan described Cambodia as an “important partner” in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the rapid growth of bilateral relations. He noted that the target for bilateral trade, initially set during a previous visit by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, remains a priority. Erdogan expressed optimism that the Türkiye-Cambodia Business Forum would bolster business ties, while also highlighting Cambodia's interest in Türkiye's defense industry products.

While Indonesian coverage of the visit primarily focused on economic cooperation and trade, Cambodian outlets framed the discussions within a broader context, noting Cambodia's role in regional peace efforts, particularly in relation to the Palestinian issue. Erdogan praised Cambodia's involvement as a founding member of the Board of Peace for Gaza, indicating a shared commitment to humanitarian efforts.

As Türkiye seeks to expand its diplomatic engagement in Southeast Asia, the visit by Prime Minister Hun Manet was a crucial step in solidifying economic ties and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. The discussions between the two leaders covered regional and global developments, reflecting their shared interests and aspirations for a stronger partnership.