Laos and Cambodia ink cultural cooperation agreement

Laos and Cambodia intend to organise a number of cultural exchange activities and events over the next three years to boost bilateral cooperation in the sector.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cultural cooperation was signed in Vientiane on 21 December by Lao Minister of Information and Culture Mounkeo Oraboun and Cambodian Minister of Culture and Art Him Chhem.

The MOU outlines plans to organise cultural events, including film festivals and a cultural week, on occasions of national significance for each country, as well as exchange visits by delegations of the two neighbours.

Other events to be organised include photo and painting exhibitions and book fairs.

Under the MOU, each year groups of three to five government officials from each nation's culture sector will visit the other country for a week.

During a bilateral meeting between cultural officials led by the two ministers on December 16, the two sides expressed their willingness to strengthen relations between their countries and between the four newest Asean members - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam - through cultural activities and events.

The nations shall invite art groups and delegations from other countries to participate in international and domestic festivals and conferences on culture and art to be held in their territories, the MOU states.

According to the MOU, the two sides also agreed to facilitate technical cooperation including exchange of experience and information, training for officials working in the field of culture and arts, and actively endeavouring to realise exchange and cooperation, including exchange of scientific and technological information, and delegations in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

The MOU also covers cooperation between museums and libraries in the two countries, with an aim of stimulating exchange of information and officials.

The two ministries also agreed to boost intellectual property rights protection in accordance with the laws and regulations of their respective countries and international obligations.

source: KPL (Lao New Agency)