Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni left Phnom Penh on Tuesday to start his state visit to Laos and Vietnam, two of Cambodia's communist neighboring countries at the invitation of Laotian President Khamtay Siphandone and Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.
Senate leader Chea sim, acting National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen, and 18 members of the royal family and other government officials, representatives and senators accompany the king at the airport.
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters at the airport that this is the first time for the King to visit the two neighbor countries.
King Sihamoni is expected to talk about bilateral issues with Mr. Khamtay. King Sihamoni will stay in Laos until Thursady before continuing his trip to Vietnam. He says that this visit will consolidate and strengthen friendly cooperation relations on politics and economy.