PHNOM PENH — Cambodia and Laos have pledged to accelerate the remaining border demarcation with the goal of fostering peace and cooperation between the two countries and to ensure development.  

Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to accomplish this during Sokhonn’s official visit to Laos on Nov. 26 to 28.

According to a statement posted at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation website on Nov. 28, the Cambodian delegation co-chaired the 15th Meeting of the Cambodia-Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) at Laos’ invitation.

During Sokhonn’s visit, the two ministers reiterated their countries’ determination to maintain peace and friendship, and ensuring development through cooperation along the countries’ common border, the statement read.  

Cambodia and Laos have so far set up 86 percent of the border markers, with the remaining 14 percent currently being negotiated with mutual respect, according to Senate President Hun Sen’s statement issued in June 2025 during the Joint Session of the National Assembly and the Senate.

The two foreign ministers commended the ongoing cooperation between the countries, and reaffirmed the commitment of the two nations to deepen their Comprehensive and Long-Lasting Strategic Partnership as traditional friends and good neighbors.  

Cambodia and Laos Vow to Extend Cooperation in Multiple Fields

During the meeting, Prak Sokhonn and his Lao counterpart Thongsavan Phomvihane expressed satisfaction regarding the progress made in bilateral and multilateral cooperation since the previous JCBC Meeting, and stated that the two countries aim to expand cooperation in multiple fields, the ministry statement read.

Highlighting the importance of regular all-level exchanges to strengthen the two countries’ bonds of friendship and solidarity, they applauded the success of the recent high-level delegation exchanges including Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to Laos in March 2024, Hun Sen’s visit to Laos in December 2025, and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone’s visit to Cambodia in December 2024.

Regarding the economy of the countries, Prak Sokhonn and Thongsavan Phomvihane discussed the significant potential for trade and investment expansion, and agreed to promote closer business-to-business engagement. They also spoke of expanding trade and exchanges, and of exploring new areas of cooperation, building on the joint trade meeting held in January 2025.

According to the ministry’s statement, Cambodia thanked Laos for the energy supplies for the country. The two ministers said they were committed to strengthening cooperation in the sector through the existing agreements and memorandums of understanding, while exploring other sectors such as agriculture, tourism, people-to-people connectivity and education.

The countries being members of ASEAN, the two ministers reaffirmed their stance of working in coordination regarding global and regional issues to promote peace, stability and security. They also stated that Laos and Cambodia would continue supporting one another within these frameworks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also mentioned in the statement at its site that Laos wished Cambodia success when hosting the 20th Francophonie Summit in 2026.

Cambodia will host the 16th Meeting of the Cambodia-Laos Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in 2027.