Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane meets with Mr Prak Sokhonn in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Laos, Cambodia agree to step up cooperation

Laos and Cambodia have agreed to deepen cooperation in key areas spanning trade, security, education, energy and transport under their Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Strategic Partnership.
The agreement was reached during an official visit to Cambodia by a Lao delegation from July 24-26, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane. The delegation was welcomed by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Prak Sokhonn.
The visit also included participation in the 8th Lao-Cambodian, Cambodian-Lao Joint Border Committee Meeting, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a pres release.
At the talks, both sides reaffirmed the strong friendship and growing cooperation between their parties, states, and peoples.
They noted that bilateral ties have continued to strengthen, particularly since the elevation of their partnership to a Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Strategic Partnership in 2019.
The two sides reviewed past cooperation, exchanged updates on domestic developments, and explored new areas for joint initiatives aimed at producing practical and tangible outcomes.
In the field of national defence and security, both countries committed to strengthening joint efforts to maintain peace along their shared border and tackle transnational threats. These include drug trafficking, cyber scams, and other crimes.
At a recent meeting of the Laos-Cambodia Border Security Cooperation Committee held in Pakse city, Champasak province, senior officials reported a decline in crime in the border area.
Discussions focused on preventing illegal entry and exit, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, while also addressing environmental crimes such as illegal logging and wildlife trafficking.
In a related effort to boost cooperation in law enforcement, prosecutors from Laos and Cambodia attended the first Laos-Cambodia Prosecutors’ Conference on Combating Transnational Crime, which took place in Vientiane.
The meeting centred on efforts to tackle drug-related offences and enhance coordination between legal institutions. The two sides agreed to share legal information, expand joint training programmes, and improve extradition procedures.
Beyond border security, the two governments pledged to expand cooperation in trade and investment, energy development, public works and transport, education, culture, and tourism.
During his visit, Mr Thongsavanh expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Cambodian government and congratulated Mr Prak Sokhonn on his reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
He invited Mr Prak Sokhonn to pay an official visit to Laos and attend the 15th Lao-Cambodian, Cambodian-Lao Joint Commission Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation, which will take place in Vientiane in November.

by Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 28, 2025)