PHNOM PENH: H.E. Bryan Fornari, EU Head of Cooperation, and H.E. Ros Seilava, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), held here on May 7 a bilateral dialogue to discuss EU-Cambodia cooperation on public financial management, macroeconomics, education, statistics, investments, and taxation reforms.
Together with Team Europe members from France, they discussed the EU Global Gateway strategy and the promotion of EU investments in Cambodia. The same day, a friendly football match between Team Europe and MEF was organised at Morodok Techo National Stadium.
H.E. Ros Seilava and other senior MEF officials joined the event alongside the Ambassador of the European Union, H.E. Igor Driesmans, and representatives from Team Europe. Ambassador H.E. Igor Driesmans highlighted the role of the EU Global Gateway in attracting investments to Cambodia and the benefits of football and sports diplomacy:
“Football, and team sports more widely, unite people and can foster international cooperation. Team Europe is committed to supporting Cambodia’s efforts to diversify its sources of growth and create more opportunities for investment. The Global Gateway is our primary tool to achieve this,” he said.
H.E. Dr Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of MEF, noted that the Public Financial Management Cup 2025 stands as a testament to the enduring partnership and friendship between the MEF and the EU.
‘”Through collaboration marked by mutual respect and shared commitment, we continue to achieve significant milestones in public financial management reform, advancing Cambodia’s vision for sustainable socio-economic development and stronger international cooperation.”
The EU has been supporting the Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform of the Royal Government of Cambodia since 2006.
The current support is based on the EU-Cambodia Partnership for Public Financial Management Reforms 2022-2028, focusing on key reforms of the management of public funds supported by the EU in key areas promoting a progressively more accountable, transparent and efficient use of public funds.
The EU also provides technical assistance to the Royal Government on the basis of demand and promotes institutional twinning between Cambodian institutions and EU Member States institutions, including in Statistics and in Education and on Taxation as of mid-2025.