The president of a client state visits another client state of Vietnam

Lao president arrives in Cambodia for official visit

Aug 6, 2007
DPA

Phnom Penh - Lao People's Democratic Republic President Choummaly Sayasone arrived in Cambodia Monday on a three-day state visit at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni.

The Foreign Ministry said that apart from an audience with the king, Sayasone and his delegation would also meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior politicians during his visit.

Lao borders Cambodia to the north and the two nations - both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - have made increasing bilateral trading ties a priority.

Sayasone, who was appointed president in June 2006, is also head of state of Lao.

Comrade Chounmaly Sayasone to visit the Kampuchean comrades next week

Lao President to Visit Cambodia Next Week

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
03 August 2007

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone will lead a delegation to Cambodia next week to strengthen relations between the two neighbors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

Choummaly Sayasone was invited by King Norodom Sihamoni and is expected to meet with high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin.

Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Cambodia could raise the demarcation issue and other development issues along the Lao-Cambodian border.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy urged leaders of both countries to discuss trade and border development to reduce poverty for the people who live along the border.

Var Kim Hong, director of the government's border commission, told the National Assembly last week that Cambodia has planted border posts across 80 percent of the 540-kilometer border between the two countries and the two neighbors have agreed to finish by the end of this year.