Draft agreements for 2nd Cambodia-Thai Cabinet retreat approved

BANGKOK, December 16 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved in principle four draft agreements for the 2nd Cambodian-Thai Cabinet Retreat, scheduled to be held in Bangkok during December 18-19. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told a press conference that the four draft agreements for the Cambodian-Thai Cabinet Retreat late this week were endorsed at the Thai Cabinet's weekly meeting, held at Bangkok's Government House on December 15. The deputy spokesman stated that the four draft agreements include the Joint Communique of the 2nd Cambodian-Thai Cabinet Retreat, under which Cambodia and Thailand express a common political stance on expanding bilateral cooperation in various major areas, an employment accord, aimed to facilitate transparent and efficient employment of Cambodian and Thai workers to prevent and resolve the problems of illegal migrant workers and human trafficking, as well as two memoranda of understanding (MOU) on the development of a new border checkpoint at Ban Nong Ian in Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province and Stungbot in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey Province and on labour cooperation, covering technical, skill development of workers and employment spheres. The deputy spokesman said that delegations of leading Cambodian and Thai business operators will first meet on December 18 to discuss their investment cooperation in the future, followed by the 2nd Cambodian-Thai Cabinet Retreat on December 19, during which visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart General Prayut Chan-ocha will witness the signing of the four agreements. According to the deputy spokesman, the signing of the four agreements is aimed to further strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand in trade, investment and security areas. The deputy spokesman acknowledged that Cambodia and Thailand plan to triple bilateral trade value by 2020 to be in line with their national economic growth. Besides, Thailand will help promote and support Cambodia's agricultural, educational and socio-cultural sectors. (TNA)