Phnom Penh, November 22, 2024 : Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Honorary President of the 12th International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), received Ms. Pany Yathotou, Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the 7 Makara Palace in Phnom Penh this afternoon.

The meeting provided a significant platform for both leaders to discuss the advancement of relations between Cambodia and Laos, particularly in light of Samdech Hun Sen's forthcoming visit to Laos. In his welcome remarks, Samdech Hun Sen highlighted the meeting as a valuable opportunity to reinforce the relationship between the two nations.

Ms. Pany Yathotou expressed her appreciation to Samdech Hun Sen for accommodating the Lao delegation amidst his busy schedule. She conveyed warm greetings from Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Laos, and commended the CPP for successfully hosting the 12th ICAPP General Assembly and related activities. The Vice President underscored the importance of Samdech Hun Sen’s contributions during the assembly, particularly regarding the CPP’s experience in promoting national reconciliation, unity, and development.

In alignment with Samdech Hun Sen’s views on the interconnection between peace and development, Ms. Pany Yathotou noted her intention to leverage Cambodia’s experiences as a model for development initiatives in Laos. She acknowledged Cambodia’s notable progress under Samdech Hun Sen's leadership, attributing this success to the effective governance of the CPP.

The Vice President further articulated the strong cooperative ties between the governments and ruling parties of both nations. She expressed gratitude for the support extended by the Cambodian government during Laos’ recent challenges, including assistance in hosting the ASEAN Summit in difficult circumstances. Ms. Pany Yathotou emphasized the fruitful collaboration among Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, which continues to contribute to regional stability and development. She advocated for the exploration of new mechanisms to bolster bilateral relations and ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

In his remarks, Samdech Hun Sen reciprocated by sending his greetings to President Thongloun Sisoulith and commending Ms. Pany Yathotou for her participation in the ICAPP General Assembly and the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) session in Phnom Penh. He praised Laos’ commendable economic growth achieved amidst challenges and congratulated the country on its chairmanship of ASEAN with Cambodia's ongoing support.

Samdech Hun Sen acknowledged the contributions of Lao electricity exports to Cambodia, which play a vital role in supporting economic growth. He elaborated on the restructuring of sub-national administrations in Cambodia, offering insights as potential lessons for the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in enhancing its governance structures. He noted the successful leadership transitions in Cambodia that have maintained political and economic stability, a crucial aspect for any nation during such changes.