France's Macron to pay state visit to Cambodia during Francophonie summit

Emmanuel Macron's visit to Cambodia will be the first state visit by a French president since François Mitterrand's in 1993. Charles de Gaulle went in 1966.

The visit, from 14 to 16 November, aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties between France and Cambodia. Agreements and cooperation documents covering the economy, investment, culture and defence will be signed during the trip, according to Cambodia's state news agency, Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP).

Francophonie summit

While in Phnom Penh, Macron will attend the 20th Francophonie Summit, where the next head of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) will be elected on 16 November. For the first time, heads of state and government will choose the winner by vote. Until now, the choice was made by consensus.

Four candidates, three African women and one European man, are competing for the post, which carries a four-year term. Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda is seeking a third term as head of the OIF. The others are Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a former culture minister and the daughter of Patrice Lumumba; Coumba Bâ of Mauritania, a politician and doctor; and Dacian Cioloș, a former prime minister of Romania.

King Norodom Sihanouk, the current monarch's father, was one of the OIF's founding fathers. The organisation was created in 1970 and now has 53 full member states and governments.

His son, King Norodom Sihamoni, lived in France for many years. He is an associate member of France's Académie des Sciences d'Outre-Mer and has been a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres since 2008.

Angkor and tech

Away from the summit, Macron will join King Sihamoni in Siem Reap province for the closing ceremony of the restoration of the West Mebon temple. The temple is almost 1,000 years old. It is part of the Unesco World Heritage site at Angkor, once the heart of the Khmer Empire, which also includes Angkor Wat, a national treasure.

Macron will also officially open the FrancoTech exhibition, where institutions, businesses and start-ups from both countries will discuss key technology issues.

The Macrons leave Cambodia on 16 November for a two-day visit to Malaysia.

(with newswires)