Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 5 – Cambodian President of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary and Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone praised the strong relations between both countries, highighting their shared commitment to peace and development for the benefit of their people.
Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone paid a courtesy call on Cambodian President of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary on Thursday (Dec. 5) at the National Assembly.
President of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary expressed her pleasure and extended a warm welcome to the Laotian prime minister and his delegation during their visit to Cambodia. She stated that this visit would further strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations, advancing their status as comprehensive and long-term strategic partners, bringing mutual benefits to their people and countries.
Khuon Sudary underlined the steady improvement in cooperation between Cambodia and Laos in both the legislative and executive branches, as evidenced by a series of reciprocal visits.
The presence of the Laotian prime minister in Cambodia follows recent high-level engagements, including the attendance of Pany Yathotou, Vice President of Laos, at the 12th ICAPP General Assembly, and Khambay Damlath, Vice President of the Lao National Assembly, at the 11th IPTP meeting hosted by Cambodia. Additionally, Prime Minister Hun Manet's official visit to Laos in 2023, as well as his participation in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and the 45th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), further reflect the close ties between the two nations.
In addition, Khuon Sudary also noted the upcoming plans of King Norodom Sihamoni and Samdech Techo Hun Sen to pay state visits to Laos, which will further deepen bilateral relations.
The National Assembly president underscored that the strong cooperation between Cambodia and Laos reflects a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and mutual support in both regional and international forums. This collaboration has significantly contributed to the success of major international events and plays a vital role in promoting peace and development in the region and beyond.
Khuon Sudary also congratulated Laos on its recent progress, particularly the development of its high-speed railway network, which has the potential to drive economic growth. She commended Laos for its transformation from a landlocked country to a "land-linked" country, opening new opportunities for regional connectivity and prosperity.
For his part, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his deep gratitude to the President of the Cambodian National Assembly, Khuon Sudary, for taking the time to meet with him on this occasion. He praised Cambodia's peace and rapid development and congratulated the country on its numerous achievements in hosting sub-regional, regional, and international meetings at both the legislative and executive levels. These accomplishments, he noted, have elevated Cambodia's prestige and strengthened its increasingly significant role on the international stage.
The Laotian prime minister also thanked Cambodia for its continued support to Laos, both in the past and present, particularly during the COVID19 pandemic, when Cambodia provided vaccines and medical supplies to assist Laos in combating the crisis.
Sonexay Siphandone further informed Khuon Sudary of the significant success of his visit to Cambodia. On this occasion, both governments signed three additional memorandums of understanding (MoUs), building on the seven MoUs signed in 2023 during the official visit of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to Laos.
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