temple of Angkor Wat

Cambodia has made remarkable political and socioeconomic progress since the the Paris Peace Accords in 1991 which set in motion the peace process. The EU remains committed to Cambodia's transformation and will continue to support all Cambodians who work towards lasting development and democracy in the country.

At the heart of the relationship is the EU-Cambodia Cooperation Agreement . A Joint Committee that normally meets every other year, alternately in Phnom Penh and in Brussels, allows the EU and the Royal Government of Cambodia to formulate recommendations and set priorities. Collaboration also takes place on the regional and international stage through fora such as ASEAN and ASEM.

A respect for democracy and human rights is fundamental to EU-Cambodia relations.  The EU supports a wide range of human rights initiatives carried out by Cambodian NGOs and other Civil Society Organisations and has also observed national and commune elections while providing support to the election process.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), in particular, has a vital role to play not only in ensuring accountability for victims of the Khmer Rouge, but also in developing Cambodia’s long-term legal capacity and promoting reconciliation.

Over the years, EU-Cambodia cooperation activities have touched the lives of millions of Cambodians. The EU is Cambodia’s largest partner in terms of development assistance; details of which can be found in the country strategy paper [441 KB] .