Phnom Penh (FN), June 15 - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday afternoon requested Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha to speed up Cambodia-Thai cross-border railroad transportation and openings of two international border checkpoints in Banteay Meanchey and Sa Kaeo provinces.

Prime Minister Hun Sen congratulated the increase of bilateral trade volume from $5.6 billion in 2016 to $6.1 billion in 2017; the premier hoped to achieve bilateral trade volume up to $15 billion by 2020 through the attractions of Thai investors to Cambodia and signing of the Draft Memorandum of Understanding on transported goods.

The Royal Government of Cambodia thanked the Thai side for providing a locomotive to Cambodia; and for facilitating the legalization for Cambodian workers. Cambodia will endeavor to provide legitimacy to Thai workers in Cambodia by June 2018.

In a statement issued on June 21, 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said a number of important issues have been reached with regard to connection between the two countries and they include: (1) by road, it was agreed to launch two more border-crossing points; one at Steung Bot and the other at Nong Ean, while the already existing border-crossings of An Seh, Phnom Dey, Phnom Da and Chub Koki will be upgraded to international checkpoints. The other areas of Aur Neang and Ban Paray will be examined and cleared of landmines in preparation to be launched as border-crossings after Steung Bot; (2) as for rail road, efforts will be made for transport services between Bangkok and Phnom Penh to be available by the end of 2016; and (3) for maritime transportation, there will be a joint project to connect the coasts of Cambodia Thailand and Vietnam that will open up for transport of cargos and tourists in the near future.

Cambodia-Thai leaders have strengthened their friendship, solidarity, and cooperation by ensuring peace at the borders between the two countries.

The premier led a delegation to attend the 8th ACMECS and will also chair the 9th Summit of Cambodia-Laos PDR-Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) to be held from June 15-16, 2018 in Thailand. He will also have separate bilateral meetings with Prime Minister of Thailand, of Laos, and of Vietnam. He is scheduled to return on June 16, 2018.
=FRESH NEWS