The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation this evening issued a press release on the outcomes of the 14th Meeting of Cambodia-Laos
Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Phnom Penh on July 7.
The full press release reads as follows:
“PRESS RELEASE
Outcomes of the 14th Meeting of Cambodia-Laos
Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation
Phnom Penh, 07 July 2022
At the invitation of His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, His Excellency Saleumxay KOMMASITH, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, led a delegation to attend and co-chair the 14th Meeting of the Cambodia-Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) on 07 July 2022 in Phnom Penh, the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Prior to the Meeting, His Excellency Saleumxay KOMMASITH paid a courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. He extended congratulations for great victory achieved by the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) under the leadership of Samdech Teco HUN SEN in the 5th Commune/Sangkat Councils elections on 05 June 2022. His Excellency Saleumxay KOMMASITH conveyed high appreciation of H.E. Dr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, to Samdech Techo Prime Minister for the financial assistance and medical equipment provided to Laos in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated his country’s full support for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022.
Samdech Techo Prime Minister congratulated His Excellency Saleumxay KOMMASITH on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister in addition to the current position as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Samdech Techo Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the existing good relations and cooperation between the two countries and recommended both sides to further enhance it to a new height.
During the 14th Meeting of JCBC, His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn and His Excellency Saleumxay KOMMASITH reviewed the progress in the implementation of the Agreed Minutes of the 13th Meeting of JCBC and the decisions reached by the leaders of both countries, by touching on every aspects of the bilateral cooperation, including on political-security, economic, social, sub-regional and regional issues, as well as explored potential areas of future cooperation.
The two Foreign Ministers renewed satisfaction with the elevation of the bilateral relations to a Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Strategic Partnership in 2019 and highlighted the successful outcomes of the recent exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries. The two sides reiterated the shared commitment to further deepen the elevated partnership so as to promote the national development and well-being of their people, as well as to address current formidable regional and global challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery and to jointly enhance peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development within ASEAN community and beyond.
On Political cooperation, the two sides were satisfied with the progress in the finalisation of the “Draft Action Plan for Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Partnership 2023-2027” between both countries for signing during the planned visit of Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen to Lao PDR in early 2023. The meeting agreed to continue to maintain the regular visits and meetings between the two countries’ leaders, respective ministries, institutions, local authorities and people-to-people contact in order to boost cooperation in various areas and to enhance the Cambodia-Laos traditional friendship relations as well.
On Defence and Security domain, both sides agreed to increase border control within each territory and to take timely measures to prevent all kinds of crimes via patrolling activities to prevent, control, and suppress natural resource crimes, illegal logging and hunting, and other offenses along the border between the two countries. The two sides discussed and agreed on many points of actions relating to border affairs, especially urging the authorities concerned of both countries to expeditiously conclude the negotiation on the remaining 14% of un-demarcated border segments so as to build border line between the two countries.
On economy, the two sides noted with satisfaction the increase of two-way trade in recent years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting agreed on the importance of working more closely to expand cooperation in this area, including organizing joint activities such as business matching, exhibitions and workshop to promote trade opportunities between Cambodia and Laos, while also encouraging investment activity in each other territory.
On education, both sides noted the existing good cooperation and encouraged the expeditious implementation of the Agreement on Cooperation in Education for the years 2019-2023 and the renewal of the MoU on Sport Cooperation.
On Tourism, the two sides welcomed the signing of the MoU on Tourism Cooperation in January 2022 and encouraged the kick-start of the 1st Joint Tourism Working Group Meeting in Cambodia in 2022.
The meeting also discussed and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation on other important areas, including Finance, Culture, Labour, Health, Industry, Energy, Agriculture, Environment, Transportation, Information, Telecommunication & ICT, Science, Technology and Innovation, and People-to-People Connectivity.
On sub-regional and regional cooperation, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to strengthen collaboration and mutual support in international, regional and sub-regional organisations, of which the two countries are members. Deputy PM Saleumxay KOMMASITH underlined his full support and commended Deputy PM Prak Sokhonn for his tireless endeavors in his capacity as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar as well as the fruitful results received so far.
The 14th Meeting of JCBC was concluded by the signing between the two Foreign Ministers on its Agreed Minutes, which will serve as a roadmap for both countries to work together to uplift the existing partnership to a new height. The two sides also agreed to convene the 15th Meeting of JCBC in 2024 in the Lao PDR.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press