(Phnom Penh): As of 2026, Cambodia and Laos mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations. Over the decades, diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two countries have been steadily strengthened, culminating in the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive and long-term strategic partnership.
In the military sector, in 2026, the commanders-in-chief of the armed forces of both countries held discussions and reaffirmed their renewed commitment to further strengthening and expanding cooperation and relations within the bilateral framework, contributing to the preservation of peace and stability in both nations as well as in the region.
The reaffirmation was made on the afternoon of 16 February 2026 during a bilateral meeting between General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), and Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army, who led a delegation on an official visit to Cambodia.
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum of past relations and cooperation, including exchanges of visits at all levels, meetings of the Joint Security Cooperation Committee, maintenance of order along the border, information exchange to combat terrorism and transnational crimes, and scholarship exchanges.
Furthermore, the two military leaders exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in several key areas, including: effective implementation of bilateral protocols; cooperation through existing mechanisms to resolve emerging issues; enhanced information sharing to prevent and suppress transnational crimes; and collaboration in disaster relief operations.
It is worth noting that Cambodia and Laos share a border of over 550 kilometers. To date, approximately 86 percent of the border demarcation has been agreed upon. The joint border committees of both countries continue working on the remaining sections to ensure a legacy of a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development for future generations.
=FRESH NEWS
