Cambodia, Laos vow to boost bilateral ties, regional cooperation

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (R) meets with visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 23, 2024. Cambodia and Laos on Tuesday vowed to boost their bilateral relations and regional cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and peoples, said a news release from the Cambodian prime minister's spokesperson unit. (Photo by Ra Ni/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Laos on Tuesday vowed to boost their bilateral relations and regional cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and peoples, said a news release from the Cambodian prime minister's spokesperson unit.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at the Peace Palace in the capital Phnom Penh.

Both sides agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation in a number of major areas including energy, connectivity, border affairs, combating transnational crime, defense and security, as well as people-to-people exchanges, the news release said.

The two leaders also agreed to further promote the comprehensive and long-lasting strategic partnership for the common prosperity of the two countries and peoples.

According to the news release, during the meeting, Thongloun expressed his thanks to Cambodia for supporting the Lao chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2024.

He said Laos is looking forward to welcoming Hun Manet to attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in October in Vientiane.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Thongloun arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday morning for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.