(Stung Treng): Cambodia and Laos have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border security cooperation to maintain peace, stability, and economic development along their shared frontier.

The pledge was made during the 4th Annual Meeting of the Cambodia–Laos and Laos–Cambodia Border Security and Order Cooperation Committee, held on Monday (May 18) at Angkor Meas Hotel in Stung Treng.

The Cambodian delegation was led by General Eth Sarath, and the Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), while the Lao side was headed by Major General Vanthong Bouttavong, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed progress in bilateral border security cooperation and agreed to further strengthen coordination mechanisms that have already delivered positive results.

The two countries pledged to enhance cooperation in maintaining border security and preventing armed conflict, while strengthening efforts to combat transnational crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal logging, online scams, and the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Both sides also agreed to improve communication and information-sharing between border forces, resolve border-related issues peacefully through local coordination mechanisms, and prevent unauthorized drone operations while safeguarding national sovereignty in unresolved border areas.

Both sides also committed to countering hostile propaganda aimed at undermining the longstanding friendship and solidarity between the two nations and their armed forces.

Annual rotational meetings will continue among military units stationed along the border, including forces from Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, Champasak, and Attapeu.

The two countries reaffirmed support for the Cambodia–Laos Joint Border Commission (JBC) in continuing border demarcation and border marker installation efforts.

Both parties emphasized that the shared border should remain a zone of peace, friendship, solidarity, and cooperation, with all security concerns addressed peacefully and with mutual respect for sovereignty.

The cooperation protocol signed by the Cambodian and Lao Ministries of National Defence in Vientiane on 14 September 2022 will continue to serve as a key framework for bilateral implementation efforts.
=FRESH NEWS