President visits Cambodia to reinforce ties

President Thongloun Sisoulith and a high-level delegation are paying a state visit to Cambodia from April 23 to 24 to enhance the longstanding friendship and comprehensive and enduring partnership between Laos and Cambodia.

President Thongloun Sisoulith (left) and the King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni inspect a guard of honour.

This is Mr Thongloun’s second state visit to the country as president, in response to an invitation from the Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
On Tuesday, the president and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to King Norodom Sihamoni in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
The state visit aims to enhance the longstanding relationship between the two countries and to bolster the comprehensive strategic partnership between the neighbouring nations.
A welcome ceremony for the visiting Lao delegation took place at the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Cambodia. King Norodom Sihamoni presided over the ceremony which was also attended by senior Cambodian officials.
Shortly after the welcome ceremony, President Thongloun and His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni met for talks.
King Norodom expressed a warm welcome to the Lao delegation while the Lao President said he was very grateful for the hospitable welcome he had received from the Cambodian king and government.
The state visit to Cambodia is an important milestone in the two countries’ relationship, which has grown in strength since diplomatic relations were established in 1956, and nurtured through regular contacts between the leaders of both countries.
Many decades ago during the fight for national liberation by Lao citizens, the Cambodian king’s father, King Norodom Sihanouk, visited Viengxay district in Huaphan province - the revolutionary stronghold - and again visited Laos following the country’s liberation.
This was a significant step in bolstering the relationship between the two countries. In addition, an official visit to Laos by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet earlier this year further strengthened bilateral relations through the signing of agreements on various cooperation initiatives.
During their talks, President Thongloun and King Norodom Sihamoni agreed to push their governments to work together to realise cooperation initiatives approved by both sides. The two heads of state also agreed to work together to further enhance the time-honoured relations and cooperation between their two countries. 
President Thongloun invited King Norodom Sihamoni to visit Laos at a time that was convenient to him.
As a testament to the sound relations and cooperation between Laos and Cambodia, during President Thongloun’s visit the Lao delegation donated two elephants named Mr Champa and Ms Lamduan to the king and the Cambodian people.
On the same day, President Thongloun called on the President of the Senate of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Sen, who is a former Prime Minister of Cambodia, as well as the President of the National Assembly, Ms Khoun Sudary, and Prime Minister Hun Manet.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 24, 2024)