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On 24 April, in Phnom Penh, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, met with Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia.

The meeting discussed possibilities for strengthening bilateral relations in the areas of energy, digitalisation, cybersecurity, cooperation between the EU and Cambodia, and support for Ukraine.

The visit took place in the context of the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Minister conveyed a message from the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas expressing the EU's interest in strengthening constructive dialogue with Cambodia and developing sustainable trade relations based on democratic freedoms and the principles of international law.

“We see Cambodia as an important partner for Lithuania and the European Union in Southeast Asia. We highly appreciate your country’s principled position at the United Nations on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its active contribution to international efforts to demine Ukrainian territories ‘polluted’ by Russian mines. I hope that this visit will give new impetus to bilateral cooperation, contribute to strengthening the EU's dialogue with Cambodia, and contribute to a better understanding of the Indo-Pacific region, which has recently been the focus of global attention," said Budrys.

According to the Minister, Lithuania is ready to contribute to the EU Global Gateway initiatives in Cambodia, including a €8 million scholarship programme in the fields of energy, water, and agriculture.

Energy security is an important topic of the meeting.

“Lithuania has come a long way from a fully dependent energy sector to an independent and resilient energy system. We are fully aware of the challenges faced by countries seeking to overcome this vulnerability. That is why we are ready to share our experience, especially with regard to the integration of energy systems and the development of renewable energy", said the Minister.

According to Budrys, Lithuania has also developed high expertise in the areas of digitalisation and cybersecurity. The Minister proposed GovTech solutions tested in Lithuania for Cambodia’s digital transformation and the development of digital state services.