On 26 November 2024, His Excellency Meas Kim Heng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received  His Excellency Viorel Stefan, Member of the European Court of Auditors, at the Ministry.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on Cambodia’s development priorities, the effectiveness of EU development assistance, and Cambodia’s LDC graduation. His Excellency Stefan informed that his mission is to conduct audit on EU’s Aid for Trade assistance in Cambodia and assess the effectiveness of EU support for Cambodia. He also had bilateral meetings with relevant Ministries in Phnom Penh and conducted field visits to the EU’s sponsored projects.

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, His Excellency Secretary of State Meas Kim Heng expressed Cambodia’s deep appreciation for the EU assistance in Cambodia and for incorporating important priorities under the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I into the Joint European Strategy for Development Cooperation with Cambodia 2021-2027 and pointed out the necessity to extend the LDC graduation from 2027 to 2029. Both sides shared the same views about the effectiveness of EU assistance in Cambodia.