Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks to interior minister Sar Kheng and defence minister Tea Banh at Phnom Penh International Airport before his February 9-11 state visit to China. SPM
Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone are set to sign a 2023-2027 action plan for a comprehensive and long-term strategic partnership between the two countries during the former’s February 13-14 visit.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, Minister of National Defence Tea Banh and Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An, along with key business leaders, will accompany the premier.
Hun Sen will hold separate meetings with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and Xaysomphone Phomvihane, president of the Lao National Assembly and Laos-Cambodia Friendship Association.
“He will hold bilateral meetings with Sonexay to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in all areas, including security, politics and the economy, and they will exchange views on sub-regional, regional and international issues of mutual interest and common concern,” said the press release.
“After the meeting, the two prime ministers will sign an Action Plan for the Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Strategic Partnership between the two countries for 2023-2027,” it added.
The visit to Laos begins two days after Hun Sen wrapped up a three-day visit to Beijing, China.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the visit is important for enhancing relations and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
He said that if looking at the framework of bilateral relations between Cambodia and Laos to date, the two countries generally have had good relations with each other. The two countries are closely linked in terms of history, geography, culture and traditions.
“If we look at the relationship between the two peoples, we see that is deep. The relationship between the two governments reflects this,” he told The Post.
“I think this visit will further deepen their closeness, both within the bilateral framework and in the multilateral one. There is mutual support for one another in all regional and international forums,” he added.
