VO Laos, Cambodia open consulates on Stung Treng border
INTRO: Laos and Cambodia opened consulates on either side of the Stung Treng border in response to ongoing cross-border issues. Laos’ Stung Treng consulate is inaugurated on June 30, and Cambodia’s – in Laos’ Cham Pasak province – on July 1
STORY: Laos, Cambodia open consulates on Stung Treng border was the outcome of the agreement between Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and his visiting Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhon that made the agreement on Friday the 17th of June in Vientiane Capital as the Cambodian minister was on a working trip to Laos at the invitation of Mr Saleumxay
The ministers agreed to work together to push for the implementation of cooperation agreements the two countries have made. Both sides agreed to set up their consulates in Laos' southern Champassak province and Cambodia's northern Stung Treng province.
The sides will intensify their cooperation in an effort to maintain security along their shared border, prevent cross-border trade of illegal addictive drugs among other issues.
The ministers reached consensus for both countries enhancing their cooperation and extending mutual support through regional and international cooperation mechanisms and arenas that the two countries are engaged in.
Stung Treng provincial government spokesman Men Kung said the consulates would enable both countries to respond to the growing crime threat and deal with border disputes, such as the contentious construction of a Laotian army base close to the border.
“It will be easy to solve issues happening at the border such as cross-border land conflicts, illegal migration ... We’re giving a lot more attention to drug-related issues,” he said. “We’re dealing with it regularly and we’ll be able to solve the issues in a timely fashion because they [the consulates] are there.”
