Cambodian and Laotian PMs to Finalize Border Demarcation
Prime Minister Hun Manet and Laotian counterpart Sonexay Siphandone address the press conference on Mar. 25. Photo: STPM/Telegram
- By Torn Chanritheara
- March 25, 2024 7:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Soon after landing in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, Prime Minister Hun Manet said that Cambodia and Laos will fully implement the border demarcation treaty to set the final demarcation between the two countries as soon as possible.
A total of 86 percent of the 540-kilometer border between the two countries has already been mapped, with 120 posts established along the dividing line.
Hun Manet said on Mar. 25, in a joint press conference with his Laotian counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, that the two sides exchanged instruments on the ratification of the state border demarcation treaty which was signed in February 2023.
“With this concrete legal basis, as for the next step, Cambodia believes that the two parties will soon fully and effectively implement the above-mentioned state border demarcation treaty, in particular, the implementation of waterway boundary along the entire border in accordance with international laws,” he said.
The Cambodian prime minister is paying a two-day official visit to Laos on Mar. 25-26.
Sonexay Siphandone said that the leaders agreed to continue holding talks to expeditiously solve the issue surrounding the remaining border demarcation.
The two prime ministers agreed to implement an action plan to effectively enhance the comprehensive and long-lasting strategic partnership which was agreed in 2023.
Seven documents were signed including five agreements on energy, in which Cambodia commits to buying green electricity from Laos. Hun Manet thanked the neighboring country for the continued electricity supply to Cambodia.
He said that the two leaders agreed to boost cooperation on education, tourism, trade and connectivity, hailing the resumption of direct flights between the two countries operated by Lao Airlines.
On defense and security matters, Hun Manet said the two countries are committed to strengthening security and cooperation along the border under the Defense and Interior Ministers’ framework and existing military arrangement while shoring up the fight against transnational crime and human and drug trafficking.
Hun Manet said that Cambodia is supporting Laos as the ASEAN Chair in 2024 and announced a Cambodian contribution of $1 million to Laos for organizing the block’s meetings.
He said that Cambodia also supported Lao’s effort in solving the Myanmar crisis.
The Cambodian PM also extended the invitation to Sonexay to pay a visit to Cambodia. He invited the Lao side to participate in the world summit on mine-free to be hosted in Siem Reap later this year.
