Kingdom of Cambodia and the Czech Republic. Outline of Bilateral Relations

Abstract

This article attempts to portray basic aspects of Czech-Cambodian relations
from the 16th century until the present day, 2006. It deals with the first
reports of Czech missionaries in the 17th and 18th century as well as
globetrotters, students, diplomats and specialists from the 19th and 20th
century. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established in
1956. Mutual cooperation in the fields of economy, culture and education
developed dynamically for the next 14 years, only to be violently
interrupted by the Lon Nol's coup d'état in 1970 followed by the genocidal
regime of Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. When the Cambodian United
National Salvation Front assisted by Vietnamese troops overthrew Khmers
Rouges, the communist government of Czechoslovakia and the leftist
regime in Phnom Penh continued to maintain an active relationship. After
the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989, mutual economic and
trade cooperation fell considerably. Recently, Czechs and Cambodians try to
reestablish these past ties of cooperation. The Czech program for
developmental aid was favorably received by Cambodia and presently,
future joint commercial projects are being discussed.