(KPL) Addressing a celebration of the French National Day in Vientiane on Jul 14, Ambassador of France to the Lao PDR Mrs. Siv-Leng Chhuor insisted on the quality of bilateral relationship between Laos and France.

The French National Day reception also saw the presence of Minister of Health Mr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong.

Ambassador Siv-Leng Chhuor stated that the relations between the two countries is deep and long-lasting and look to the future as the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations will be celebrated in 2023. 

“The celebration of the 70th anniversary of the bilateral relationship in 2023 will be an opportunity to open up a new horizon and to continue deepening cooperation in all areas,” said the ambassador.

France has supported Laos, providing nearly 600,000 doses of anti-Covid vaccine. In the field of agriculture, the presence of the Agence Française de Dévelopment in Laos for 30 years has enabled the development of a sustainable tea and coffee industry, geographical indications, and the implementation of projects to fight malnutrition.

The French language links the two countries through their membership of the Francophonie: many Laotians can speak a fluent French. A new programme has just been launched to strengthen the training of young Laotians and French teachers.

“Many other areas of bilateral cooperation exist, whether it concerns the promotion of women's rights, the preservation of heritage and the development of tourism, or the dynamism of French companies in Laos,” said the French ambassador.

In the cultural field, for the first time, a France-Laos cultural festival will soon be launched in order to continue to nourish mutual curiosity and friendship between the two populations, in a context of resumption of tourism flows and human exchanges.

KPL