Laotian President Starts State Visit
King Norodom Sihamoni and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith inspect guard of honor at the Royal Palace. Photo: Ministry of Information
- By Torn Chanritheara
- April 23, 2024 12:01 PM
PHNOM PENH – Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Phnom Penh on April 23, starting a two-day state visit which aims to strengthen relations between the neighbors.
Thongloun, accompanied by his wife, was ceremonially welcomed by King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace.
The President’s last visit to Phnom Penh was in May last year when he attended the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games.
Thongloun met Senate President Hun Sen and was set to hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Manet and meet other leaders, during which the two sides were due to exchange views on enhancing cooperation and other issues of common interest.
The visit is another milestone to further strengthen and promote relations, good neighborliness and fraternal ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said.
The Laotian leader’s presence came a month after Hun Manet’s visit to Vientiane. During the visit, the countries agreed to fully implement a treaty to set the final border demarcation as soon as possible.
A total of 86 percent of the 540km border between the countries has been mapped, with 120 posts established along the dividing line.
The countries also agreed to boost cooperation on education, tourism, trade and connectivity while vowing to combat transnational crime and human and drug trafficking and strengthening security and cooperation along the border.
Cambodia and Lao established diplomatic relations in 1956 and the ties between them were upgraded to a Comprehensive and Long-term Strategic Partnership in 2019.
