Laos, Thailand agree to boost bilateral cooperation

(KPL) The second Thai-Lao Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR) was held on 19 May in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai under the joint presidency of Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The meeting was a part of the activities set up to strengthen, monitor and review the bilateral cooperation framework. A special focus had been put on the project to build the 4th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, to link Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong district with Houaysai, Bokeo province; the debate continued discussing the cooperation project on the High-Speed Rail Network, supposed to cross Thailand, Laos and China, willing to promote private investments on the Highway Routes No 8 and No 12.

The two nations also focused on their joint strategies to tackle problems related to drugs and human trafficking. On this occasion, the parties also renewed their respective commitment to prepare the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Laos-Thailand Friendship Association's foundation.

The meeting also disclosed that Thailand is a main trade partner of Laos, since the trade volume between the two states has now reached THB 150 billion.

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