AKP Phnom Penh, July 19, 2025 --

H.E. Dr. Chea Chanboribo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Republic of Bulgaria, held a courtesy meeting on July 18 with H.E. Peter Kouroumbashev, Honorary Consul of Malaysia to Bulgaria, at the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Sofia.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the current state and prospects of Cambodia-Bulgaria bilateral relations, sharing personal experiences and perspectives on the educational and cultural connections between their respective countries.

H.E. Dr. Chea Chanboribo reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Bulgaria in various sectors, including trade, tourism, and education. 

H.E. Kouroumbashev proposed initiating a joint platform between ASEAN member states’ embassies and honorary consulates accredited to Bulgaria, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, to enhance collaboration. He suggested holding regular monthly coordination meetings to share ideas and advance cooperation, emphasising Bulgaria’s significant potential to engage more actively with Southeast Asia beyond its current level of involvement.

He also provided insights into Malaysia-Bulgaria relations, noting that the Malaysian Embassy in Bucharest covers Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, supported by two honorary consulates, one in Bulgaria and another in Greece. He expressed hope that Bulgaria’s foreign policy would increasingly prioritise Asia, fostering closer ties with countries such as Cambodia and Malaysia.

Both parties expressed their shared interest in promoting educational and cultural exchanges, including student and university partnerships, during Ambassador Chea Chanboribo’s tenure in Bulgaria. 

The ambassador underscored the importance of enabling Cambodian and Bulgarian youth to learn more about each other’s countries through media, information sharing, and tourism, describing Cambodia-Bulgaria relations as a “win-win” partnership. 

He noted that Bulgaria views Cambodia as a diplomatic and economic gateway to ASEAN, while Cambodia sees Bulgaria as a bridge to the European Union.

In discussing Cambodia’s foreign policy, Ambassador Chea emphasized the country’s commitment to maintaining old friendships while fostering new partnerships in a balanced manner. He recalled how some previously mocked Cambodia’s message of “thank for peace,” yet with global conflicts continuing to escalate, the world now better understands the true meaning of peace.

He reaffirmed Cambodia’s dedication to preserving peace after experiencing nearly half a century of war, stating that the country remains committed to non-interference and respect for the sovereignty of other nations.

On the Cambodia-Thailand border issue, H.E. Dr. Chea Chanboribo explained that historically, Cambodia had lost significant territories to Siam (now Thailand), listing 12 provinces historically under Khmer rule. He emphasised that while Cambodia does not seek to reclaim these territories, it will not cede even “a millimetre” of its current land, underscoring the legitimacy of the borders deposited with the United Nations following independence from France. 

He invited Thailand to resolve disputes peacefully at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), affirming that only those who fear justice would avoid legal resolution.

H.E. Ambassador concluded by reiterating that Cambodia believes the appropriate, civilised choice for addressing such issues is through international legal mechanisms like the ICJ, ensuring a prosperous future for the next generation, and that war is not Cambodia’s choice.

By K. Rithy Reak