PHNOM PENH – New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has ended his two-day visit to Cambodia, reflecting both countries’ commitment to strengthening ties and exploring areas of cooperation.

His visit on Nov. 28 and 29 was at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn.

Peters and Sokhonn held in-depth discussions on Nov. 29 aimed at advancing cooperation across various sectors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said. 

The ministers noted the importance of maintaining regular engagements at all levels to deepen political relations and identify additional areas of partnership.

“They also welcomed the successful convening of the 3rd Foreign Ministries’ Consultations on 22 August 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand, and agreed to continue promoting this mechanism for regular dialogue,” the ministry said. 

On security matters, both recognized transnational crimes, including online scams, as serious threats to national security that require coordinated regional efforts. 

Therefore, they reaffirmed their strong commitment to strengthening security cooperation and agreed to work together to combat these crimes.

On economic cooperation, both sides agreed that institutions from the two countries should step up efforts to unlock more potential in order to boost trade, particularly in agriculture, enhance investment flows, and promote economic complementarity.

Additionally, the two ministers underscored the importance of tourism for fostering mutual understanding and economic growth, noting that people-to-people exchanges remain a key pillar of their relations.

Sokhonn thanked New Zealand for the contributions to Cambodia’s peace process and post-conflict reconstruction since the early 1990s, particularly in mine clearance and human resource development.  

The New Zealand delegation commended Cambodia’s rapid economic and social progress and pledged continued support for the country’s development, the ministry said. 

Peters’ visit came a month after a meeting between Prime Minister Hun Manet and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in October. 

In addition to bilateral issues, Sokhonn briefed Peters on recent progress in implementing the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, signed between Cambodia and Thailand on Oct. 26. He reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other’s core goals while promoting peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation in international forums.

Peters also met Prime Minister Hun Manet on Nov. 29, when both sides discussed trade, investment, education, agriculture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges for collaboration, and explored cooperation within regional and international frameworks.

In terms of private-sector cooperation, Cambodia has established a representative office of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand to help expand investment opportunities and promote trade.

Cambodia and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1959, six years after Cambodia gained independence from France.