Cambodia-Laos Forces Commit to Peaceful Border Cooperation

Cambodia-Laos Forces Commit to Peaceful Border Cooperation

STUNG TRENG, Cambodia, May 19, 2026 — Cambodia and Laos have pledged to strengthen military cooperation and maintain their shared frontier as a “border of peace and development,” according to agreements reached during bilateral security talks in northeastern Cambodia.

The commitments were made during the fourth annual meeting of the Cambodia–Laos Border Security Cooperation Committee held in Stung Treng Province on May 18, hosted by Cambodia.

The Cambodian delegation was led by General Eth Sarath, deputy commander-in-chief and joint chief of staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, while the Lao side was headed by Major General Vanthong Buttakvong, deputy chief of staff of the Lao People’s Army.

Both sides agreed to continue coordinating to prevent armed clashes and maintain security and stability along the border, while increasing joint efforts against transnational crimes including terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, arms trafficking, illegal logging, wildlife crimes and online scam operations.

The two militaries also agreed to improve information-sharing mechanisms, resolve border incidents peacefully and counter attempts by hostile groups to undermine relations between the two countries.

According to the meeting record, both sides pledged to prevent unauthorised drone activity and reaffirmed respect for each other’s sovereignty, particularly in areas where border demarcation work remains incomplete.

Cambodia and Laos further agreed to support the work of the bilateral Joint Boundary Commission and continue holding annual security meetings on a rotating basis between the two countries.

Officials said the next meeting of the bilateral border security committee will be hosted by Laos at a later date.