Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 13 to 16 February. This was the first visit by a Federal President to the south-east Asian country.
In Siem Reap, the Federal President found out about progress made on the mine clearance efforts that Germany is supporting and about the restoration work being conducted at the Angkor Wat temple complex, for which a German team trained restoration staff.
In Phnom Penh he had talks inter alia with acting Head of State Senate President Say Chhum and with Prime Minister Hun Sen. The programme also included dialogue with representatives of civil society. The Federal President also visited a museum that commemorates the victims of the Khmer Rouge reign of terror.
On the morning of 16 February, Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled on to Malaysia for a state visit.
Overview of the programme:
Monday, 13 February
- Flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tuesday, 14 February
- Arrival in Siem Reap
- Tour of the humanitarian mine clearance project HALO Trust
- Angkor
Tour of the Angkor Wat temple complex and the German Apsara Conservation Project - Tour of the Ta Prohm temple complex
- Flight to Phnom Penh
Wednesday, 15 February
- Phnom Penh, Senate building
Welcome with military honours by Say Chhum, acting Head of State and Senate President of the Kingdom of Cambodia - Talks with Say Chhum, Senate President of the Kingdom of Cambodia
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Independence Monument
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk
- Official seat of the Prime Minister
Talks with Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia - Luncheon, hosted by Say Chhum, acting Head of State and Senate President of the Kingdom of Cambodia
- Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Talks with representatives of the opposition and civil society
Thursday, 16 February
- Flight to Penang, Malaysia