(KPL) Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone received in Vientiane on February 8, a courtesy call from Mr Xavier BETTEL Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Kingdom of Luxembourg and his delegation paid a working visit to Lao PDR on February 5-9, to further strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between two countries.

PM Sonexay expressed his welcome the visiting Mr Xavier BETTEL and highly valued their visit noting that it contributed to strengthening relations and cooperation between Laos and the Kingdom of Luxembourg, especially the foreign affairs sector.

The visit is very important and took place on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries Laos and Luxembourg as well as the regular exchange of visits between the delegates of the two countries after the visit to work in Lao PDR of His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg last December 2022. Also, the visit to Lao PDR of Mr Xavier BETTEL is a good opportunity to exchange lessons, experience together and develop cooperation in various sectors which see that the two countries are working together for the benefit of the people of the two nations, which are the two countries to be more fruitful.

It has been noted for the good cooperation between Lao PDR and Luxembourg over the past 27 years, the cooperation of the two countries has made a good step and continues to grow, the assistance of the Luxembourg government to Lao PDR covers many sectors such as public health, education, promotion of rule of law, assistance in local development, tourism management and other including the agreement continue to provide assistance in various areas in the future, especially statistical work to contribute to implementation of 5th Population and Housing Census set to generate quality data for development.

PM Sonexay representing the government and the people of Laos, expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Luxembourg for the support and assistance to Lao PDR in the past, which is effective and efficiency, has been an important contribution to the national socio-economic development plan, rural development and poverty reduction for the people, aimed at leaving the Lao PDR out of the list of least developed country in the coming years and contribute to Lao PDR to achieve the goals of the sustainable development plan of the Lao PDR in 2030.

PM also informed the Luxembourg on the current socio- economic development, including Laos to be ASEAN chairmanship 2024.

In reply, Mr Xavier expressed thanks PM Sonxay for his warm welcome, highly valued bilateral cooperation between two countries, also informed the success of the bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, including visiting the projects supported by his government in Luang Prabang, in Vangvieng and Phonhong district, Vientiane province, as well as visited some natural and cultural tourist sites areas.

He also thanks the government of Lao PDR for providing support to Luxembourg in many works in the past and also pledged to continue providing cooperation and assistance to Lao PDR in other sectors in the future.

KPL