Thai-Cambodian ties strengthened at joint Cabinet meeting

BANGKOK, September 8 (TNA) - Bilateral relations between Thailand and Cambodia have been strengthened after the 3rd Joint Thai-Cambodian Cabinet Retreat, held in Phnom Penh on September 7. Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha said during his meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, prior to Thursday's informal Thai-Cambodian Cabinet meeting, that closed and constructive relations have been developed between Thailand and Cambodia, which is a key foundation to foster the Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, agreed since the 2nd Joint Thai-Cambodian Cabinet Retreat in 2015. Deputy Government Spokesman Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak quoted the Thai premier's remarks as telling reporters after the one-day Joint Thai-Cambodian Cabinet Retreat. The deputy spokesman stated that progress on bilateral relations within the political and security frameworks was also raised by the Thai prime minister during Thursday's Thai-Cambodian Cabinet talks. According to the deputy spokesman, both sides agreed on working out a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the joint management of natural disasters along the common border. Besides, both sides assigned the Joint Thai-Cambodian Committee (JTC) on Trade to discuss ways to further expand bilateral trade between Thailand and Cambodia and to consider the possibility of importing more agricultural products from Cambodia for a more balanced trade between the two neighboring countries, along with supporting the upgrade of the standards of the production of agricultural products. The deputy spokesman revealed that the Thai prime minister was also pleased with the signing of a bilateral agreement on the avoidance of the double taxation for mutual benefits and expressed his hope for a progress of the agreed construction of a cross-border railway, linking Aranyaprathet area of Thailand's Sa Kaeo Province with Cambodia's Poi Pet, Srisophon, Battambang and Phnom Penh, set to be completed by 2020. According to the deputy spokesman, both sides also agreed to open a new permanent checkpoint at Ban Nong Ian in Sa Kaeo Province to bring about more prosperity to the two neighboring countries, after the accelerating construction of related building, roads and a cross-border bridge is completed. The Cambodian prime minister, in turn, invited Thai business operators to expand their investment in Cambodia and asked for the acceleration of the nationality verification of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand, while also appointing Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tea Banh to be chief the Thailand-Cambodia Friendship Association for the Cambodian side to promote the further development of Thai-Cambodian relations in the long run. (TNA)