Cambodia, Thailand to expand cooperation

BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - Cambodia and Thailand are ready to further expand bilateral ties and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that the joint stance was announced during a meeting between Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and visiting Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn at Bangkok's Government House on Monday. The deputy spokesman said that the newly-appointed Cambodian foreign minister, whose visit to Thailand this week is also aimed to introduce himself, is scheduled, as well, to discuss with his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai on progress in cooperation projects agreed between Phnom Penh and Bangkok in December 2015. "The visiting Cambodian foreign minister assured that he is ready to cooperate with Thailand for mutual prosperity and Cambodia views that Thailand's stability is important to Cambodia and the ASEAN Community," the deputy spokesman stated. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai prime minister also inquired about progress in the planned railway from Aranyaprathet District in Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province to Cambodia's Sisophon Province and the reconstruction of a railway from Poipet to Phnom Penh, as both sides viewed that the railway connection will promote communication, economic activities and tourism between the two neighboring countries, while supporting connectivity at subregional and regional levels as well. Besides, the Thai prime minister appreciated Cambodia's participation in a coastal transport plan with Thailand and Vietnam, while promising to quickly open the Nong Ian-Stung Bot border crossing in Sa Kaeo and urging Cambodia to verify the nationality of its migrant workers before their departure for Thailand, support border trade and help tackle illegal logging and pirated products. (TNA)