Cambodia and Bulgaria have pledged to deepen their bilateral relations following a significant diplomatic meeting held on May 19 in Sofia between H.E. Dr. Chea Chanboribo, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Republic of Bulgaria and H.E. Ms. Elena Shekerletova, Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Deputy Minister Shekerletova lauded the positive trajectory of Bulgaria-Cambodia relations since their re-establishment in 1993.
She voiced strong optimism that Ambassador Chea Chanboribo, a former student in Bulgaria with fluency in the language and a deep understanding of the country, would play a crucial role in revitalising and expanding cooperation across various sectors.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, a partnership characterized by political, economic, and cultural collaboration.
H.E. Ms. Elena Shekerletova underscored Bulgaria’s increasing interest in Southeast Asia, aligning with the European Union’s broader strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific region for both security and economic partnerships.
Highlighting the long-standing friendship, she noted that Ambassador Chea Chanboribo embodies this connection, with his academic background in Bulgaria uniquely positioning him as a cultural and diplomatic bridge between the two countries.
Deputy Minister Shekerletova affirmed Bulgaria’s eagerness to broaden discussions in political, trade, and economic spheres. She recalled the official visits of the then Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen to Bulgaria in 2018 and 2019, which included productive talks between the two foreign ministries. However, she pointed to the absence of high-level exchanges since then and advocated for renewed momentum.
Bulgaria has already established mechanisms within its Ministry of Economy and Industry to facilitate bilateral trade and investment, potentially leading to direct negotiations and joint ventures between Cambodian and Bulgarian businesses. Shekerletova expressed hope that resuming talks would pave the way for stronger economic links.
H.E. Deputy Minister also referenced Bulgaria’s pending 2020 request for an agreement with Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport to provide scholarships for Cambodian students. She conveyed a desire for increased cultural exchanges and expressed hope for a greater Cambodian cultural presence in Bulgaria, and vice versa.
Bulgaria recognises Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage, which has garnered interest among Bulgarian citizens. Shekerletova expressed gratitude for Cambodia’s support of Bulgaria’s candidacies for leadership positions in international organisations, such as the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Bulgaria, she added, hopes to continue relying on Cambodia’s support in global forums while encouraging greater Cambodian participation.
For his part, Dr. Chea Chanboribo, delivering his remarks in fluent Bulgarian, expressed his profound emotion at returning to Bulgaria in an official capacity. Having studied in Bulgaria during the 1980s, he conveyed deep personal and professional respect for the nation and pledged his active contribution to strengthening Cambodia-Bulgaria relations.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to enhancing cooperation in diplomacy, trade, education, culture, and regional engagement.
