Anne-Marie Trevelyan (right) and culture minister Phoeurng Sackona at the National Museum of Cambodia on March 4. Trevelyan via X
UK minister of State for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan has called on people to visit Cambodia following her recent “excellent” trip to the country.
Her comments were seen as positive by both nations, especially as Cambodia looks to promote the post-Covid-19 recovery of the tourism sector.
Trevelyan paid her first official visit to Cambodia from March 2-4. During her time in the country, she met with several high-profile leaders from the economic, culture and foreign affairs sectors.
In a video clip posted by the UK embassy in Phnom Penh on March 5, Trevelyan shared her impression of Cambodia, as well as her appreciation for the two kingdoms’ bilateral relations.
“It was a real privilege to see the UK-Cambodia relationship moving forwards on its next journey together, and we look forward to seeing more of that relationship develop.
“It’s been a real privilege to have the chance to spend time here. I even snuck an hour to go and visit the Royal Palace, with possibly the finest maintained garden I’ve ever seen. I am very jealous; I want to take the garden home with me. It’s been an extraordinary time to be in Cambodia,” she said.
“It’s been a great trip! Come and visit Cambodia!” she said at the end of the video.
Trevelyan visited the National Museum on March 5, accompanied by Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona. The museum hosts 77 priceless looted Khmer artefacts which were returned from the UK in February last year.
“Excellent visit to Cambodia! Such a privilege to join Cambodia’s Minister for Culture and Fine Arts at the National Museum of Cambodia, which showcases their rich history,” she tweeted at the time, along with a photograph of herself and Sackona.
“Great to see the artefacts that were [returned] from the UK,” she added, while noting that 96,000 Brits visited Cambodia in 2023.
A March 4 social media post by the culture ministry said the two ministers discussed cultural relations, including a possible memorandum of understanding (MOU) on preventing the illegal trafficking of artefacts.
The meeting also touched on further cooperation through assistance by UK experts on the conservation and exhibition of gold artefacts. They discussed the possibility of sending Cambodian specialists to train in the UK, particularly at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
Trevelyan also met with Chem Widhya, a secretary of state for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on March 4. The meeting touched on global threats, net zero, protecting the oceans, trade, defence and freedom of speech.
A foreign ministry press release said both sides praised their “excellent” traditional relationship and underlined the importance of further developing it in crucial areas, especially trade, investment, human capital, green growth and renewable energy.
“Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP saw extensive economic opportunities during her first visit to Cambodia which she would report back to her capital,” the release added, using her official title.
On the same day, she also met with Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth. They discussed the proposed Green Special Economic Zone in Cambodia, UK investment in the country and UK support for Cambodia’s exports.
Before her departure, she also visited several local NGOs and the first UK university campus in Cambodia, De Montfort, which opened recently.
In 2023, some 96,000 UK citizens visited Cambodia, the ninth-highest total of the nearly 5.5 million international arrivals that year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Chhort Bunthong, a cultural relations, tourism and education research officer at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that despite being a personal appeal rather than an official one, a call from a high-profile foreign diplomat urging people to visit Cambodia would have a positive impact on the country’s tourism and trade sectors.
“When high-profile foreign figures who visit Cambodia and then share the truth about the country, it is really good for us and our image. The impression of ordinary people is important, but those of a well-known person are more impactful,” he said.
Bunthong was of the view that Trevelyan’s excellent impression of Cambodia stemmed from her actual experiences here, rather than what was sometimes reported by international media.
“She may have had some pre-conceived ideas about Cambodia before she arrived, but once she got here, her impression reflected what she saw herself. She was obviously thrilled and happy to be here, and shared her personal opinion, just as any ordinary person would do,” he said.
He added that her personal impression may have a positive impact on bilateral relations between the two kingdoms, and may encourage other international guests to visit Cambodia, whether from the UK or other countries around the world.
When asked if he could offer any other examples of other foreign leaders who had shared positive impression of Cambodia after their visit, Bunthong said only that what Cambodia wants is for people to speak the truth, just as Trevelyan did.
