The Cambodian and Lao military reiterated their commitment to enhanced information exchange to prevent transnational crime, particularly terrorism and human and drug trafficking.
The pledge was made during a bilateral meeting on July 30 between Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), and Lao Deputy Minister of National Defense and chief of the general staff of the Lao People’s Army, Khamlieng Outhakaysone, in Phnom Penh.
During the meeting, Pisen requested that the Lao side continue to work together to effectively implement the protocol signed between the two countries’ defense ministries.
He also emphasised promoting the implementation of the minutes from the second meeting between the Commission for Cooperation on Security and Order along the Cambodia-Laos border to transform the area into one of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
“Pisen requested the Lao side to continue to cooperate in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, brotherhood and good neighbourliness by exchanging information to prevent cross-border crimes.
“The focus on … crime prevention includes terrorism, human and drug trafficking, disaster relief and the creation of sports and performing arts events,” stated the RCAF in a July 30 press release.
It noted Outhakaysone agreed to a number of Pisen’s requests.
“The ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the parties, governments and military of the two countries have been strengthened and expanded day by day, deepening and bearing fruit,” Outhakaysone was quoted as saying in the press release.
He noted that over the past year, cooperation between the two militaries has achieved impressive results, particularly in securing and arranging the border area between the two countries in an orderly manner and facilitating regular movement of people.
“Outhakaysone requested that the Cambodian side continue the annual meetings between the militaries of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, by rotating hosts. He also urged support for the Joint Boundary Commission of the two countries to continue the process of joint inspection and demarcation, and to resolve any remaining issues,” the press release said.
Outhakaysone urged for the exchange of more military trainees, the establishment of mechanisms to jointly address border issues and the continuation of disaster training.
Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Institute for International Studies, said that Lao-Cambodian cooperation focuses on peaceful border construction and development, with significant strengthening in many areas, especially in border security.
“The two countries have also held joint exercises to share experience and strengthen their militaries’ ability to prevent illegal activities along the border.
“Both countries clearly understand the benefits and importance of maintaining a peaceful border to ensure trade, the movement of people, security and increased exchange between their citizens,” he told The Post on July 30.
Mengdavid explained that increasing security cooperation between the two countries is also part of protecting regional security and preventing crime and other non-traditional security activities, such as supporting the ASEAN security mechanism.