Cambodia, Thailand to expand pilot immigration project

THE 4th MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE CAMBODIAN- THAI BORDER PROVINCES

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PHNOM PENH, 27th April (Cambodia Herald) - Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to expand a pilot immigration project in Banteay Meanchey province to Koh Kong province, the Ministry of Interior said Friday.

The agreement was reached during the Fourth Meeting of Governors of Border Provinces chaired by Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng and his Thai counterpart Yonguth Wichaidi.

A statement said the agreement was based on the results of a pilot project at the Poipet – Klong Luek border crossing in Banteay Meanchey province.

"The Thai side acknowledged the Cambodian side’s proposal to expand the implementation of the pilot project to Cham Yeam –Hak Lek," the statement said.

Under the agreement, Cambodian citizens in Koh Kong province with valid border passes will be able to cross from Cham Yeam to Hak Lek in Trat province in Thailand. In addition to Trat, they will also be allowed to visit Chanthaburi and Chonburi provinces.

At the same time, Thai citizens of Trat provinces with valid border passes will be able to cross from Hak Lek to Cham Yeam in Koh Kong province. They will also be allowed to visit  Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep provinces, the statement said.

The Ministry of Interior said the meeting took place in a "friendly atmosphere aimed at continuing strengthened cooperation along the border areas of the both countries

"Both sides jointly expressed their firm commitments for the effective management of border crossing and (promoting)  cooperation for the prevention and suppression of all illegal activites along the border areas," it said.

Such activities especially relate to transnational crimes such as terrorism, drug and human trafficking, piracy, antique and weapon smuggling, money laundering, international and regional economic crimes and cyber crimes.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate closely to carry out cooperation programmes and action plans under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, especially those of the ACMECS Summit in Phnom Penh in 2010.

Sar Kheng, who is also a deputy prime minister, said that the meeting discussed economic, social, health, education, culture, tourism and sports cooperation strategies.

"The meeting has provided a wider opportunity to advance the traditional cooperation by the two sides," Sar Kheng said. "I thank authorities and police who try to cooperate with each other to meet the requirements and requests of residents."