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The cooperation on heritage between Laos and Cambodia should be continued, while Cambodia is seeking to learn from Laos, regarding its successful cultural heritage management.
Cambodian Deputy Ministrer of Culture and Fine Arts Mr Khim Sarith expressed the opinion during his call on the Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof Dr Bosengkham Vongdara at the ministry in Vientiane on Friday.
“We have successfully implemented the memorandum of understanding we signed in the past, so we should continue the cooperation,” he said.
Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara ( right ) welcomes Mr Khim Sarith.
Cambodian Deputy Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Mr Khim Sarith led his delegation to visit Laos last week, aiming to hold discussions with relevant Lao officials on heritage management, especially the management of historical museums.
According to delegation, there have been more than 400 ancient sites uncovered in Cambodia, but the country is facing challenges in management due to a shortage of human and financial resources, so the ancient artefacts are at risk of being looted.
“Our countries should exchange our experience and expertise in this area, and discuss ways to solve the problems relating to the preservation of heritage” Mr Sarith said.
Recently, Cambodian archeologists discovered an ancient yacht containing a number of ancient artefacts last year, which are estimated to date back to the 15th or 16th century.
Despite the fact that the country has a large number of ancient sites, there are only ten museums in Cambodia, while there is talk of establishing a sea museum in Koh Kong province.
Mr Sarith said the Lao government structure confines the management of information, culture and tourism to one ministry, which is convenient and allows for effective heritage management.
He highlighted the differences betwe en Cambodia and Laos, where in Cambodia if the Ministry of Culture and Fine-Arts uncovers any artefact or ancient site, the ministry has to seek permission from the Ministry of Information before publication is made.
Prof Dr Bosengkham Vongdara briefed the delegation on the division of cultural heritage management responsibilities and cooperation among authorities at all levels in Laos, believing the current structure has allowed for successful management of heritage issues.
Meanwhile, he expressed the pleasure of the Lao side that further cooperation between the two neighbouring countries will continue in this area.
“We give importance to cooperation with Cambodia, so we are pleased to continue it, and I will encourage my ministry's International Cooperation Department to look into the details of the cooperation,” Prof Dr Bosengkham said.
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