Lao, Cambodian ministries ink cooperation pact

Lao and Cambodian ministries have signed cooperation minutes for 2020 in Vientiane and agreed to continue to work together on border issues including cracking down on drug and human trafficking.
Minister of Public Security Lieutenant General Vilay Lakhamfong and visiting Cambodian Minister of Interior Sar Kheng inked the minutes shortly after their meeting.
The Cambodian minister was on a working trip to Laos from March 3-6, according to a source from the Lao ministry.

Both sides agreed to continue to work together to maintain security and order along their shared border, and to crack down on illegal border crossing while facilitating legitimate exit and entry.
They also agreed on the repatriation of convicted persons as well as cooperation in the training of security forces.
The two ministries appreciated the successes achieved last year, which were due to the effective implementation of the notes from the previous meeting, according to the Phnom Penh Post, citing a press release from the Cambodian ministry.
These included reciprocal visits by bordering provincial authority delegates, entity delegation, personnel training and crime crackdown cooperation along borders, especially with regard to drug-related offences.
The Cambodian ministry also noted that the cooperation minutes for 2020 cemented further action on a number of important issues.
These included urging provincial authorities to ease cross-border access for citizens and allow mutual trade to serve the needs of people living in border areas.
“Both sides will also continue to cooperate in taking firm measures to prevent and curb drug-related crimes, especially in border crossing cases,” the Cambodian ministry was quoted as saying in the press release by the Phnom Penh Post.
The two ministries will continue to exchange information and experiences on drug offences in order to create drug-free villages and schools along the border.
The two sides will also continue to improve borderline management and address the principles of mutual independence, sovereignty and respect, according to the Phnom Penh Post.
After their meeting, the ministers called on Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith at the Prime Minister’s Office and briefed him on the outcomes of their meeting.
The premier welcomed the visitors and said he highly valued the working visit of the Cambodian delegation led by Minister Sar Kheng.
The visit has further enhanced the traditional relations and cooperation between the two governments and the two ministries in particular.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 11, 2020)