French premier to visit Cambodia in July

PHNOM PENH (Kyodo) -- The prime minister of Cambodia's former colonial protector will make an official visit early next month, the first visit by a French leader in nearly two decades, Cambodia's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Francois Fillon (pictured) will make a two-day visit to Cambodia on July 2 and 3, it said.

The last French leader to visit the former colony was then President Francois Mitterrand in 1993.

Fillon is to attend a ceremony marking the restoration of Baphuon Temple in Siem Reap Province and visit other Angkor temples.

His trip also comes barely three months after Air France began flights to Phnom Penh after a 37-year hiatus.

Cambodia was a French protectorate for 90 years until it claimed independence in 1953.

Fillon will meet with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and his father, retired King Norodom Sihanouk, as well as Prime Minister Hun Sen and other leaders.

(Mainichi Japan) June 23, 2011)