Thai PM:Visit to Cambodia is successful

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, October 31 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha proclaims his two-day official visit to Cambodia, set from October 30-31, a success, as the two neighbouring countries have agreed, among others, to further strengthen border trade and investment, as well as to jointly solve labour shortages. Speaking to journalists in Phnom Penh on Friday, after concluding his two-day official trip to neighbouring Cambodia, where he held talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, General Prayut said Thailand and Cambodia are to stay as strategic partners to create advantages to both countries equally. General Prayut stressed that Bangkok and Phnom Penh are to also trust each other for their future and for the future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which both are member countries. The Thai premier pointed out ASEAN will be strong if all member countries are strong so that they all have potential to decide their own directions. Noting that his talks with his Cambodian counterpart were held under a positive atmosphere, the Thai prime minister acknowledged that Thursday's discussions covered almost bilateral issues, except pending border problems in certain areas, as both sides agreed that the frontier cruxs should not stand as obstacles for progress in bilateral relations. According to the Thai premier, he and his Cambodian counterpart agreed to develop five border areas this year and another seven in 2015 to facilitate cross-border trade between the two neighbouring countries. Besides, factories will be opened along the common border to boost production of agricultural produce, with the factories to be set up on either the Thai or Cambodian side, where people from the two countries can cross the border conveniently and smart cards will be issued to workers. On building a cross-border transportation route, the Thai premier stated the first priority is to develop a route at Nong Ian border crossing village to help ease heavy traffic in Cambodian Poi Pet border town, while more cross-border transportation routes may be later developed and they may be separated from cross-border tourism routes. For four existing Thai-Cambodian temporary border passes, including those in Ubon Ratchathani and Buri Ram Provinces in the Thai Northeast, as well as in Sa Kaeo and Trat Provinces in the Thai East, the Thai prime minister pointed out they may be upgraded to permanent ones in the future. In order to further boost relations among ASEAN leaders, the Thai premier revealed he proposed to, at least, hold informal talks between them once a year and his Cambodian counterpart agreed in principle. The Thai premier said his counterpart also proposed that provincial governors of the two countries resume their meetings at least once a year and he agreed and will order the Thai Interior Ministry to organise such the meetings. The Cambodian leader also requested for the Thai government's assistance to Cambodia when encountering natural disasters and for Thai border hospitals to provide medical care to Cambodians living near the common border. The Thai prime minister and his entourage, including his wife, are scheduled to return home later Friday, ending his two-day official trip to neighbouring Cambodia. (TNA)