Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 26 – Cambodian Delegate Minister Jean François Tan mentioned that the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to Lao PDR aimed to deepen friendship and cooperation in various sectors between the two countries.
Delegate Minister Jean François Tan spoke during the press conference on Tuesday (Mar. 26) after Samdech Thipadei concluded his visit to Lao PDR.
"The official visit of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to Laos on 25-26 March aimed to deepen friendship and cooperation in various sectors between Cambodia and Laos. The bilateral relations between the two nations are based on the comprehensive and long-lasting strategic partnership," the delegate minister underscored.
Samdech Thipadei paid an official visit to Laos on 25-26 March 2024. During the visit, Samdech Thipadei paid a courtesy call on Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith and held bilateral talks with his counterpart Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Delegate minister also highlighted the outcomes of the bilateral talks between Premier Hun Manet and his counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, which focused on six important tasks.
The six important tasks were raised, including:
1. For energy sector, Cambodia thanked Laos for its continuous energy supply to the kingdom. In addition, the two sides signed a second phase of cooperation agreement on energy cooperation, accompanied by four Memorandum of Understandings. The goal is to continue to ensure the supply of energy to Cambodia.
2. For economy and trade, both sides discussed the importance of holding the 15th Meeting of the Cambodia-Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the re-launch of the Joint Trade Commission and hosting of business and investment forums and the expansion of economic integration through trade exchanges in services such as financial services, land logistics, and tourism.
3. Both leaders welcomed the launch of the direct flights between Phnom Penh and Vientiane, which will further contribute to the growth of tourism, trade, and other important sectors between the two countries. Both sides also discussed detailed projects and other initiatives to further promote people-to-people connectivity.
4. For defence and security cooperation, both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation along the border, especially the communication between the leaders of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Interior. In particular, cooperating on existing military cooperation and strengthening the prevention and suppression of transnational crime, especially human and drug trafficking.
5. For border affairs, the two countries exchanged instruments of ratification of the border demarcation treaty between the two countries, which was signed on 13 February 2023, and signed meeting minutes on the exchange of instruments of this ratification. In this sense, Cambodia expects both sides to fully and effectively implement the State Boundary Treaty. In particular, the demarcation of the demarcation line along the waterway and the entire length of the border shall be agreed upon in accordance with the principles of international law and in accordance with the principles of international practice enshrined in Article 2 of the State Boundary Treaty Cambodia-Laos 2023.
6. Both sides discussed measures to promote cooperation in tourism, education, sports, and agriculture.
=FRESH NEWS
