On the afternoon of Monday, July 13, 2026, at the CMAC Headquarters in Phnom Penh, His Excellency Heng Ratana, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Director General of CMAC, received a courtesy call and bilateral work discussion with His Excellency Stefan Anton Messerer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission in Cambodia and his visit to CMAC to bid farewell. During this meaningful meeting, His Excellency Heng Ratana engaged in an exchange of views and highly valued the excellent friendship, relations, and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of humanitarian mine action. Germany is one of the earliest historical partners to have helped build CMAC’s training infrastructure since 1992, and Cambodia was also the very first country to which Germany dispatched its medical forces under a UN mission following World War II. On behalf of CMAC and the Cambodian people, the Director General also expressed his deepest gratitude to the Government and the people of Germany for consistently providing active assistance—including funding, technical support, and equipment—which has significantly contributed to clearing minefields, ensuring safety, and saving the lives of tens of thousands of Cambodian citizens.

At the same time, both parties discussed the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, during which the invading Thai forces utilized vast amounts of ammunition against civilian targets, particularly cluster munitions, affecting 349 newly impacted villages. The Director General briefed the Ambassador on the scale of the problem regarding explosive remnants of war left by the invading Thai forces on Cambodian territory. In response, the Ambassador expressed his support for the stance of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia in maintaining patience and striving to resolve this conflict peacefully and in accordance with international legal norms. In response, His Excellency Stefan Anton Messerer expressed his appreciation and high praise for the achievements made thus far and the outstanding capabilities of CMAC's expert forces on the battlefield of clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). He expressed particular admiration for the heroism of female deminers who are performing life-saving work within their communities.

Despite the completion of his mandate in Cambodia, His Excellency Stefan Anton Messerer confirmed that the German Government remains standing with Cambodia and continues to support this humanitarian mission to help Cambodia achieve its mine-free goal. This commitment stands even though the German side has adjusted its policy, requiring a reduction or cessation of institutional-level aid in order to redirect budget funds to help rescue other urgent crisis areas, such as Ukraine and Sudan. This farewell meeting not only demonstrates the close diplomatic relations between the two nations, but also reaffirms the genuine friendship and development partnership dedicated to turning minefields into safe, productive land for human security in Cambodia.

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