(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call from Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, Minister of Public Security of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and his delegation at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday (May 14).

During the meeting, Minister Vanthong Kongmany expressed satisfaction with and high appreciation for the progress of relations and cooperation between the two countries.

He emphasised that Laos and Cambodia are close neighbours sharing similar traditions and customs, with longstanding ties between their peoples. The minister informed Samdech Thipadei that his current visit to Cambodia was aimed at participating in a meeting to review and evaluate the implementation of the 2025 Cooperation Minutes and to sign the 2026 Cooperation Minutes with the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, which was concluded successfully and fruitfully.

The minister further noted that the visit would contribute to strengthening cooperation in security and public order, particularly along the border provinces, in combating transnational crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime, with the aim of ensuring safety, stability, and public order for the peoples of both countries. He also affirmed his commitment to further enhancing security cooperation between the two sides.

In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet congratulated Vanthong Kongmany on his appointment as Minister of Public Security of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and expressed his firm confidence that security cooperation between the two countries would continue to be further strengthened under his leadership.

Cambodian prime minister highly valued the excellent bilateral relations and cooperation across all sectors, particularly as the two countries commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He added that the two countries also share various other areas of cooperation that require continued joint efforts, such as infrastructure connectivity and people-to-people ties, which serve as important driving forces for expanding bilateral trade and promoting the tourism sectors of both countries.

Samdech Thipadei also expressed his appreciation and high regard for the fruitful outcomes of the meeting between the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Lao Ministry of Public Security, as well as for the excellent security cooperation between the two ministries over the years.

He further stressed that combating transnational crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime is an essential task that requires close and collective cooperation between the two countries.

In conclusion, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet encouraged the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Lao Ministry of Public Security to continue strengthening and expanding their cooperation in order to further deepen and enhance cooperation in the security sector, which plays an important role in strengthening connectivity across other sectors between the two countries.
=FRESH NEWS