Cambodia and Croatia Sign Diplomatic Visa Waiver as Croatian Foreign Minister Makes First Official Visit
Croatia’s foreign minister, Gordan Grlić Radman, made his first official visit to Cambodia on 19–20 October 2026, signing a diplomatic visa waiver and agreeing to explore cooperation on demining, trade and tourism.
Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, made his first official visit to Cambodia on 19–20 October 2026, as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. He travelled at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn.
Key points
- Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman visited Cambodia on 19–20 October 2026, his first official visit.
- He met King Norodom Sihamoni, Senate President Hun Sen, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
- The two countries signed a visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders and an MoU between their diplomatic academies.
- Croatia committed to supporting Cambodia’s goal of becoming mine-free by 2035.
Meetings with Cambodia’s leaders
During the visit, King Norodom Sihamoni granted the minister a royal audience. He also paid courtesy calls on Hun Sen, President of the Senate; Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly; and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
He held bilateral talks with Prak Sokhonn, and met separately with Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).
Two agreements signed
The two foreign ministers signed:
- an agreement exempting holders of diplomatic passports from visa requirements; and
- a memorandum of understanding between Cambodia’s National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations and the Diplomatic Academy of Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
Trade, tourism and people-to-people ties
The ministers discussed expanding cooperation in trade and investment, agro-industry, transport and logistics, education, tourism and demining. On the economy, they named agriculture, agro-industry, pharmaceutical production, technology, energy, transport and logistics, and tourism as areas to develop, and agreed to encourage links between their private sectors.
They also agreed to step up cooperation in human resource development, tourism and cultural exchanges, and to keep up high-level visits and regular political consultations between their foreign ministries.
Demining: a shared experience
Both countries have long experience of clearing landmines. They agreed to explore closer cooperation in demining, and Croatia committed to support Cambodia’s goal of becoming mine-free by 2035.
Regional issues and the Thai border
The ministers reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and international law. Prak Sokhonn briefed his counterpart on the situation on the Cambodia–Thailand border, restating Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, through dialogue and in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements.
Grlić Radman invited Prak Sokhonn to make an official visit to Croatia, and the invitation was accepted. Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation published the outcomes of the visit on 22 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What agreements did Cambodia and Croatia sign in October 2026?
A visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, and an MoU between Cambodia’s National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations and Croatia’s Diplomatic Academy.
How long have Cambodia and Croatia had diplomatic relations?
30 years. The visit took place as the two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of relations.
What did Croatia pledge on demining?
Croatia committed to support Cambodia’s goal of becoming mine-free by 2035, and both sides agreed to explore closer cooperation in demining.
Based on reporting by Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP), used with permission.
