Russia considers Cambodia ‘equal partner’
Russia considers Cambodia ‘equal partner’
Russian Ambassador to Cambodia Anatoly Borovik has underscored the strong and evolving relationship between Russia and Cambodia, emphasising that Moscow views Cambodia as an “equal partner” and seeks practical cooperation in various sectors, including security and education.
Currently, approximately 500 Cambodian students are studying in Russia, with 55 scholarships allocated for civilian specialties for the 2025-2026 academic year.
In 2021, Russia made a voluntary earmarked contribution of $2.8 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to support the establishment of a sustainable and healthy school food programme in Cambodia, a project set to run until the end of 2024.
Ambassador Borovik made these remarks during a lecture at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) yesterday.
He highlighted the long-standing friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two nations, noting that diplomatic relations were established in 1956 with the former Soviet Union. Since then, both Russia and Cambodia have demonstrated a commitment to deepening political and economic ties.
“We intend to promote mutually beneficial partnership with Cambodia in trade and investment, science and technology, education and culture. Therefore, we strive to create favourable conditions for the activities of companies of the two countries in various fields,” he said.
In an effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Russia will convene a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation in March. The meeting aims to identify promising investment projects and provide support for their implementation, he added.
Russia continues to contribute to Cambodia’s education sector through the UN. As part of the 2021 WFP contribution, Russia has supported initiatives that include food supply to schools, equipment procurement, and training for cooks.
“This project includes activities to supply schools with food, equipment, and to conduct training for cooks. It is gratifying that local youth remain interested in studying in Russia,” Borovik noted.
He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting Cambodian students’ education, noting that approximately 500 Cambodian students are currently studying in Russia, with 55 scholarships in civilian specialties allocated for applicants for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“Thus, those who wish can receive an education in our country at the expense of the federal budget. In general, the proposed areas vary from medicine, nuclear physics, information and communication technologies to construction and the liberal arts,” he added.
Since the 1980s, approximately 8,000 Cambodians have received education in the former Soviet Union and Russia. Borovik acknowledged their contributions, stating that Russia is “glad to see that many of the alumni of the universities apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired to work at home. They are engaged in the private sector, academia, and government institutions.”
“In building relations with Phnom Penh, Moscow primarily sees Cambodia as an equal partner, seeks practical cooperation in various areas, including security, coordination on issues of mutual interest based on the principles of sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the UN Charter and international law,” he said.
“Each country is free to develop cooperation with its partners in the political, trade, economic, humanitarian spheres, as well as in the field of security and defence,” he added.
Additionally, Ambassador Borovik also touched on broader geopolitical issues, including the ongoing rivalry between major powers, Russia’s approach to the Asia-Pacific region, and Russia-ASEAN relations, among other topics.
Source : Khmer Times
