(KPL) In response to the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo, spouse, and a Philippine delegation are paying a working visit to the Lao PDR between Aug 3-5.

The Philippine top diplomat co-chaired the 2^nd Meeting of the Laos-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation with his host counterpart in Vientiane on Aug 3.

Both sides reviewed the relations and cooperation in the past six years, or after the 1^st JCBC meeting, held in the Philippines in 2017.

The two ministers discussed the bilateral cooperation in various areas including politics, defense, security, economy, trade and investment, energy, technology, telecommunications, public works, transport, development, social and cultural affairs, education, sports, tourism, labour, agriculture and foreign affairs.

Both sides noted that the friendship and good cooperation between the two countries have been strengthened constantly over the past 68 years as this is reflected in the regular exchange of visits between high-ranking officials of the two countries, especially the bilateral meeting between the Lao Prime Minister and the Philippine President on the sidelines of the 42^nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia in May 2023.

The bilateral trade between the two countries has been increasing since the end of Covid-19, standing at 10 million dollars in 2022 and over 29 million dollars in the first six months of 2023. 

The ministers agreed to continue to promote visit exchange of senior officials of the two countries, trade and investment through encouraging investors of the two countries to invest in competitive areas of the two countries.

They agreed to continue to promote the implementation of MOUs the two countries have signed, and the signing of new MOUs in the future to promote cooperation on education, investment, defense, agriculture, among others.

They also agreed to maintain good cooperation and mutual support in regional and international arenas.

Both sides also exchanged points of view on regional and international issues of common interest.

On this occasion, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith described Manalo’s first visit to Laos as a contribution to strengthening the friendship and good cooperation between the two countries.

On behalf of the government and people of the Lao PDR, Mr. Saleumxay expressed thanks to the priceless assistance of the government and people of the Philippines in various areas including human resource development, women-related development, English language training, and basic infrastructure development.

In reply, the visiting Philippine Secretary affirmed to continue to strengthen the friendship and good cooperation between Laos and the Philippines to bring optimal benefits to peoples of the two countries.

Following the meeting, the Philippine Secretary presented 10 tablet computers to the host minister in supporting the Lao PDR’s ASEAN chair 2024.

KPL