Diplomatic relations between Cambodia and the Federal Republic of Germany were established in 1967, and suspended between1969 and 1993. Cambodia and the German Democratic Republic maintained diplomatic relations from 1969 to 1975 and from 1979 until the reunification of the two German states.

Among European countries, Germany is Cambodia’s most important trading partner importing mainly textiles and shoes from the country. German exports are mainly products in the fields of machinery, chemicals, electronics and vehicles. The German business community in Cambodia has formed the group “German Business Cambodia” within the European chamber of commerce, EUROCham.

A bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement between Germany and Cambodia entered into force in 2002.

Germany actively supports Cambodia’s development process. The cornerstone of bilateral relations is the extensive official and non-governmental development cooperation between the two countries. The core themes of development cooperation are “health and social security”, “responsibility for our planet – climate and energy”, and “training and sustainable growth for good jobs”. Other projects focus on food and food security, as well as on improving public services.

Germany also supports humanitarian de-mining in the country. Landmines and unexploded ordnance from the civil war years still constitute a hindrance to economic development.

German cultural policy in Cambodia focuses on supporting the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage, developing the education sector with the aid of a long-term German lecturer from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and bringing German culture to Cambodia through the work of the Cambodian-German Cultural Association (KDKG) and the Meta House. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which is investigating the Khmer Rouge years, receives German support.