Source: AKP
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and his Lao counterpart H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith held bilateral talks on various topics in Siem Reap province, this morning, before the 9th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit on the Development Triangle Area scheduled this afternoon.
According to an official statement released on the Facebook page of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, both leaders discussed different issues such as border demarcation, opening of more border gates, cross-border bridge construction, people’s border crossing, students’ exchange programme, and Don Sahong hydropower dam in Laos, and so on.
On the border issue, both leaders agreed to urge the border committee of the two countries to meet as soon as possible to resolve the remaining issues and to achieve the opening of three more border gates.
In order to promote the border trade, economic and tourism activities, the two premiers agreed to officially use border pass from Jan. 1, 2017 onward for the people in the border provinces.
Besides, Samdech Techo Hun Sen and H.E. Thongloun Sisolith confirmed the official inauguration of Trapaing Kreal-Norg Nokbiane international border gate to be held on Jan. 10, 2017.
Regarding the controversial Don Sahong Hydropower Dam, Cambodia gave the green light to Laos after situation and impact assessment was conducted. Samdech Techo Hun Sen also expressed thanks to Laos for promising to sell electricity to Cambodia with a cheaper price.
Both leaders also agreed on measures on exchange of prisoners between the two countries, and to increase the scholarships from 10 to 15 and the scholarship funds from US$150 to US$180, starting from early next year.