Cambodian PM wraps up Laos visit

Cambodian PM wraps up Laos visit 

Lao News Agency | Feb. 2014

(KPL) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his delegation concluded their official visit to Laos (February 6-7) at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. 

During his stay in Laos, the Cambodia PM held talks with PM Thongsing Thammavong, met with National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou , and paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone. 

At the bilateral talks, both leaders applauded the past cooperation between the two nations and highly valued the optical cable connection, which contributed to expanding connectivity between both governments and peoples. 

They also discussed the stepping up of direct flights and road transport, so as to boost tourism, transport and trade between the two neighboring countries, the border marker plantation, the promotion of bilateral trade and bilateral cooperation in combating cross border narcotics trafficking and illegal logging, as well as various types of cooperation under the frameworks of Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam, Cambodia-Laos-Thailand, ACMECS and Mekong cooperation. 

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong expressed a warm welcome to Samdech Techo Hun Sen and his entourage, stressing that the visit will further boost more cooperation between Cambodia and Laos. 

Laos will continue to closely cooperate with Cambodia and push forward the export of electricity from Laos to Cambodia up to 130 kilovolts and the expansion of power grid construction, he said. 

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen suggested the creation of a joint commission of both nations to build a cross-border bridge linking Preah Vihear province of Cambodia to Champasak Province of Laos, and the promotion of bilateral trade from US$10 million in 2000 to US$20 million in 2014 or 2015. 

The Cambodian premier welcomed Laos� decision to establish a General Consular Office in Siem Reap province of Cambodia. 

The talks also touched on the fields of social affairs, culture, art, health and human resource training. 

After the talks, PM Thongsing Thammavong and Samdech Techo Hun Sen witnessed the signing ceremony of seven documents - a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of General Consulates between Laos and Cambodia, Agreement on Education for the period of 2014-2018, Agreement on Sister City Relationship between Vientiane and Phnom Penh Capital Cities, MoU on Legal and Judicial Cooperation, MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Culture and Art for the period of 2014-2017, MoU on Health Development Cooperation, and Cooperation Plan for year 2014 between the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia and Ministry of Public Security of Laos.