VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his visiting Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen have agreed to work together to enhance bilateral ties for the benefit of the two nations and peoples.
The pledge on closer cooperation was made in Vientiane on Monday (Feb 13), during a two-day official visit by the Cambodian Prime Minister and his delegation to Laos on Feb 13-14 at the invitation of Sonexay.
During their talks, held shortly after an official welcome ceremony at the Prime Minister’s office, the two leaders agreed to work together to fulfil agreements and cooperation projects agreed to by both sides, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement.
The two sides will continue to enhance relations in various fields ranging from politics to foreign affairs, national defence and security, and border matters.
The two premiers also agreed to push for greater cooperation in economics, trade, investment, connectivity, communication, tourism, education, health, and social and cultural spheres.
The prime ministers signed two documents, namely a treaty on the two countries’ shared border, where demarcation is now 86 per cent complete, and an action plan for 2023-2027 to forge a comprehensive and long-term strategic partnership between Laos and Cambodia.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of the minutes of a meeting of the Laos-Cambodia and Cambodia-Laos joint border committees. Sonexay said the Cambodian leader’s visit was of great importance and would help to further strengthen the longstanding ties between the two neighbours.
The two premiers reviewed their countries’ relations and cooperation under bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The leaders said they highly valued the growing ties and cooperation between Laos and Cambodia and their citizens, especially the growing pace since the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive and long-term strategic partnership in 2019.
In that spirit, the leaders noted that bilateral cooperation in various fields had been enhanced. These fields included national defence and security, economics, trade, investment, finance, electricity, public works and transport, tourism, social and cultural spheres, and border affairs.
The two countries have enjoyed growing cooperation and extended mutual support within regional and sub-regional cooperation frameworks. These include the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS); Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam; and Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam frameworks.
The two nations have also coordinated with each other in the regional and international arenas. The Lao and Cambodian leaders briefed each other on socio-economic developments in their respective countries and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Sonexay, on behalf of the government and people of Laos, expressed heartfelt thanks to the government and people of Cambodia for the support and assistance they have extended to Laos.
The Lao premier affirmed that the party, state and people of Laos will enhance and further nurture the time-honoured traditional friendly relations between the two neighbours.
For his part, Hun Sen expressed heartfelt thanks to the Lao government and people for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
He congratulated Sonexay on his election to the post of prime minister by the recent 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly.
The Cambodian PM invited Sonexay to visit Cambodia at a mutually convenient time. On the same occasion, the Lao government awarded medals to Cambodian business operators for their contributions and assistance to Laos during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Also on Monday, Hun Sen called on President Thongloun Sisoulith at the Presidential Palace.
Sonexay then hosted a dinner for the Cambodian premier and his delegation.
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