Cambodia and Rwanda agree visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders

(Phnom Penh) — The governments of Cambodia and Rwanda have agreed to exempt holders of diplomatic and official passports from visa requirements, according to a press release dated November 18, 2025 on the outcome of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn's official visit to Rwanda. Prak Sokhonn led a delegation on an official visit to Rwanda to further strengthen bilateral relations. The high-level visit was a significant event in the two countries' 20 years of diplomatic relations. During the visit, Prak Sokhonn paid a courtesy call on Rwandan Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva and held bilateral discussions with Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo. The visit began with the Cambodian delegation laying a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to honour the victims of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In bilateral discussions with Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, both sides expressed satisfaction with relations that have grown since their establishment in 2005, especially cooperation in finance and air services, which they said would be important tools for expanding connectivity, facilitating exchanges and strengthening economic and people-to-people ties. The two ministers signed two bilateral documents: (1) a memorandum of understanding establishing bilateral consultations between the two foreign ministries, and (2) an agreement on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports. During the courtesy call, the prime minister warmly welcomed Prak Sokhonn and his delegation and praised the strengthening of relations. He said the two documents signed by the foreign ministers would pave the way for deepening existing cooperation and exploring other promising areas for the mutual benefit of Cambodia and Rwanda. That afternoon, Prak Sokhonn also held bilateral discussions with OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo. They discussed preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia will host in 2026, including its theme, logo, logistics and other important related matters. In all three meetings, Prak Sokhonn also briefed his counterparts on the continuing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border. He reaffirmed Cambodia's full commitment to upholding the ceasefire agreement and the recent joint declaration signed by the two prime ministers in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025, witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as ASEAN chair. By: ចិន្តា ទីទិ