INTRODUCTION

Like so many other countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, Cambodia used to be a colony of a West European power, namely France. After gaining independence, all these new nations would seek wide recognition and support for their sovereignty. Since the colonizers such as Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and France, were allied to the U.S., the latter was seen as unhelpful at least by some former colonies. During the Cold War, they tried to build up closer relations with America's rivals. For instance, Cambodia did not seek support from the U.S. as France took sides with the U.S. Thus, Cambodia at that time built up relations with the Soviet Union. The year 2011 has a special significance for Cambodia and Russia. Fifty-five years ago, on 13 May 1956, Phnom Penh and Moscow established diplomatic relations. Over the years, despite geographical separation, the peoples of the two countries have lived in amity with each other as partners in cooperation, mutually respectful and supportive.

UNDER THE LEADERSHI P OF PRINCE SIHANOUK

Substantial contributions towards the development of relations with the USSR were made by His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk. He visited the Soviet Union twice, in 1956 and 1970. During the early years of relations, the Soviet leaders highly commended the diligent efforts of the Prince in transforming Cambodia into a resilient and independent state, where people could live in peace and prosperity. At that time Moscow backed the initiatives of His Majesty, who was one of the founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement. In 1957, Cambodia and the Soviet Union signed agreements on trade and cultural and scientific cooperation. The Soviet Union also supported the membership of Cambodia of the United Nations (UN). For a former colony to be a member of the UN was crucial for gaining international recognition of its independence and sovereignty from other nations, and increasing national prestige.