(KPL) On Feb 22, Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith received a courtesy visit from new Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR Paul Kelly.

The minister appreciated the new ambassador upon his appointment to the diplomatic post and highly valued the longstanding friendship between Laos and Australia.

The minister expressed his confidence that the new ambassador will continue to promote and contribute to enhancing the friendship and cooperation between the two countries as well as to the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the Australian government and people for their provision of assistance to the Lao PDR in various areas including human resource development, health, trade and investment, agriculture, rural development noting that such assistance has made Australia among key ODA providers of the Lao PDR.

He also expressed gratitude to the Australian government for providing over AUS 20 million in aid for anti-Covid-19 efforts in the Lao PDR.

Both sides also discussed issues of common interest on cooperation in the regional and international arenas, especially cooperation under the frameworks of ASEAN, Greater Mekong Sub-region- GMS and the United Nations, as well as Laos’ role as the new Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations for the 2021-2024 period.

KPL